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Authors: Nicole Gilbertson, PhD, Joan Mandelson, MS, Kathryn Hilovsky, MS, David Wenos, PhD, Jeremy Akers, PhD, Trent A. Hargens, PhD, and Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The Sprint Interval Training (SIT) study looked at how sprint interval training affected overweight and obese women. This research expanded on earlier studies showing that sprint interval training could provide similar benefits to moderate-intensity exercise but in less time and might be more enjoyable. The study examined physical fitness, blood pressure, blood glucose, and participants' feelings about exercise, including how hard they thought it was and how much they enjoyed it. Researchers also tracked how active the participants were after the exercise program ended. Results indicated that participants found moderate intensity training to be more enjoyable than sprint interval training.
Authors: Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD, Sarah Carson Sackett, PhD, Mariah Sullivan, MS, and Jennifer Huberty, PhD
Affiliations: James Madison University and Arizona State University
The Fit Minded study was designed to evaluate how a book club intervention could influence women's physical health, motivation, self-beliefs, and participation in physical activity. The study targeted women aged 30-60 who engaged in less than 30 minutes of exercise on most days and involved a 12-week intervention. Researchers measured participants' body measurements, body composition, blood lipid levels, and blood pressure, physical activity levels and related self-perceptions. Weekly meetings were held with a member of the research team, during which participants discussed selected books based on topics such as behavior change and self-image, along with other educational materials. Additionally, data from wearable activity trackers provided to the participants were collected during each meeting to monitor their activity levels throughout the intervention. Results indicated that a 12-week book club intervention improved psychosocial variables related to physical activity participation and self-worth, as well as moderate improvements in clinical health markers.
Authors: Carolyn Ludwigson, MS, Cathy McKay, EdD, Lori Gano-Overway, PhD, and Elizabeth Edwards, Ph.D
Affiliation: James Madison University
Rooted in contact theory, the Paralympic School Day (PSD) program is designed to guide participants toward understanding the experiences of individuals with disabilities to support new thought pathways and changed perceptions. The purpose of this inquiry was to explore the experiences of elementary school students in the PSD program and their perceptions about disability and disability sport, including exploring perceptions grouped by gender identity. Based on the findings of this study, the meaning of PSD was evident in the data, which supports the value of PSD as a mechanism for learning about, and engagement with, disability and disability sport.
Authors: Susan Brown Nye, PhD, Sarah Carson Sackett, PhD, and Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The implementation of a physical activity program is just one way to give children more chances to be physically active. This article focused on describing the best practices for getting children involved in physical activity and discussed the factors that helped get kids engaged, including improving the physical environment and social atmosphere. Strategies are described for creating an effective program that gets students involved and is based on positive youth development and teaching theories.
Authors: Sarah Carson Sackett, PhD, and Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The SCAMP project investigated the relationships between physical fitness, physical activity, movement patterns and proficiency, self-perceptions of competence, and gender in young adults. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of these variables to promote better health and increased enjoyment of physical activity. Results indicated that relationships between the aforementioned variables do exist. Of particular importance, it was found that motor skill proficiency and perceived self-competence both influence cardiovascular fitness levels.
Thesis 1: Can Color Association Combined with a Physical Activity Program Enhance Nutrition Knowledge in Children Aged 2-5?
Authors: Heather Marie Gale, MS, Judi Flohr, PhD, Jeremy Akers, PhD, and Jacqueline Williams, EdD
Affiliation: James Madison University
Thesis 2: Implementation and Evaluation of Structured, Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Intensity Games in Preschool Children
Authors: Jennifer Lynn Cusick, MS, Judi Flohr, PhD, Jeremy Akers, PhD, and Susan Nye, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
I Am Moving I Am Learning (IMIL) was a 12-week physical activity and nutrition knowledge program designed for children ages two to five with a pre-post measurement design. The purpose of this study was to use color association in combination with a physical activity program to enhance basic nutrition concepts among low-income preschool-aged children. A total of 15 children (6 males and 9 females) participated in this program for a duration of 8 weeks. The children completed at least 15-25 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each week. Results indicated a decrease in BMI and a significant difference retention test for red and yellow nutrition questions. The results of this study demonstrate that implementation of color-coded, active games can improve learning and retention of nutritional knowledge. In addition, IMIL games were assessed on their ability to keep the children active for ten to fifteen minutes and on how effective they were in developing or teaching fundamental motor skills to the participants. Assessment of the games revealed that 73.3% of the games were appropriate for all ages (2-5), 20% were appropriate only for 4-5 five-year-olds, and most of the games, 93%, were of the highest enjoyment to the children. The program that this research project was based on is now called Healthy Kids and can be found on our current programs page.
Exercise and Diet Intervention May Improve Stress Control Over Exercise or Diet Alone in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD, Layne Eidemiller, MS, Christopher J. Womack, PhD, and Judith A. Flohr, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The WAIAT research project studied how diet induced weight loss and exercise affected health factors related to heart disease in postmenopausal women. The study included tests on blood cholesterol, glucose, body composition, and physical fitness over a 9-week period. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Diet Intervention group or an Exercise Intervention group. The Diet group attended weekly meetings for 30 minutes to discuss their eating habits and weight. The Exercise group participated in a special exercise program aimed at improving their cardiovascular and muscular fitness 3-4 times a week for 60 minutes. Results indicated that postmenopausal women who participated in both diet and exercise interventions reported lower perceived stress levels.
Changes in Sleep Following Diet and Exercise Protocols in Women
Authors: R. Theresa Prodoehl, PhD, Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD, Layne Eidemiller, MS, and Judith A. Flohr, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of diet-induced weight loss (DWL), circuit training (CT) and diet-induced weight loss combined with CT (DWLCT) on Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in healthy sedentary postmenopausal women. Forty-three postmenopausal (age 57.9 ± 4.7 yrs.) women were randomly assigned to either a DWL (n=16) or CT (n=18) 9-week intervention. All participants had BW, Waist circumference (WC), ESS and PQSI measured prior to and at the end of the intervention and had BW measured weekly. Paired t-test results indicated a significant (p=0.46) increase in the ESS (5.7±3.6 to 7.3±4.1) in the DWL group, there were no changes demonstrated in the CT or DWLCT groups for ESS. PSQI was not changed for all groups. BW and BMI decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the DWL and DWLCT groups and no change in the CT group. The results indicate that an increase in daytime sleepiness that accompanied caloric restriction may be offset by a regimen of CT in healthy postmenopausal women.
Body Fat Percentage Predicts HRQoL Over Measures of Fitness and Activity in Postmenopausal Sedentary Women
Authors: Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD, Layne Eidemiller, MS, Christopher J. Womack, PhD, and Judith A. Flohr, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The purpose of this study was to determine the association of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) with certain anthropological measures, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and physical activity (PA) in sedentary postmenopausal women. Data was collected at baseline on thirty-four postmenopausal sedentary women (age 57.9 ± 4.7 yrs.) as part of a larger pilot study. Measurements included: waist circumference (WC), body fat % via DXA (BF%), maximum relative oxygen consumption (VO2max), chest press, leg press, and physical activity via the IPAQ. HRQoL was evaluated using the CDC 4-question Healthy Days module. The average number of healthy days in the previous month was 23.5 ± 8.8. Both BF% (r = -0.47, p = .006) and VO2max (r = 0.40, p = .021) were significantly associated with HRQoL, but neither measure of muscular strength nor IPAQ were significantly correlated with HRQoL. In the regression model, only BF% significantly predicted HRQoL, b = -0.69, t(32) = -2.97, p = .006. HRQoL correlated highly with VO2max, which may indicate that BF% mediates the effect of cardiovascular fitness on HRQoL.
Risk for Metabolic Syndrome following Diet-Induced Weight loss or Exercise in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Layne E. Eidemiller, MS, Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD, Christopher J. Womack, PhD , and Judith A. Flohr, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of diet-induced weight loss (DWL), circuit training (CT) and diet-induced weight loss and CT (DWLCT) on risk for MetS in previously sedentary postmenopausal women. Twenty-seven women were randomly assigned to either a DWL (n= 16) or CT (n =19) 9-week intervention. DWL participants met with an investigator once per week and had a total weight loss goal of 8-10% of baseline body weight. CT subjects completed a supervised circuit of resistance and aerobic exercise on 3 days per week at a moderate intensity. CT participants were weighed weekly to insure body weight (BW) remained stable (± 3 lbs). ANOVA and paired- and independent-samples t-tests were used to determine changes in risk factors for MetS. MetS was present in 21.1% of the CT, 25% DWL group, and 22.2 % of DWLCT group and did not change. Results of paired samples t-test indicated significant decreases in DBP (p = .025) and WC (p = 0.016) in the DWL group. This study suggests that CT is insufficient to affect MetS risk in 9 weeks, while DWL may decrease MetS risk in this relatively short time frame.
Is Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Muscular Fitness or Physical Activity Related to Diabetes Risk in Postmenopausal Women?
Authors: Judith A. Flohr, PhD, Elizabeth S. Edwards, PhD Layne Eidemiller, MS, Christine M. Nicewonger, MS, and Christopher J. Womack, PhD
Affiliation: James Madison University
The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and joint associations of upper and lower body muscular strength (MS), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and physical activity (PA) with the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a group of sedentary healthy postmenopausal women. Thirty-five postmenopausal (age 57.9 ± 4.7 yrs.) women completed a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine maximum relative oxygen consumption (VO2max) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to estimate MET minutes/week of PA. Waist circumference (WC), body fat via DXA (BF), height, weight, 5RM leg press and chest press were measured and use to estimate 1RM. All participants had blood drawn and analyzed for HbA1c (A1c). Both LP (r = -0.344, p = .043) and CP (r = -0.414, p = .013) were significantly associated with A1c, but neither VO2max nor IPAQ were significantly correlated with A1c. The results of the present study indicate that muscular strength as measured by LP and CP were related to A1c. Therefore, efforts to increase muscle strength in postmenopausal women to lower diabetes risk appear to be warranted.
