1,721,292 research outputs found
Changes in coronary heart disease risk profile of adults with intellectual disabilities following a physical activity intervention
No full textBackground Regular physical activity is one of the modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). With an increasing age profile and similar patterns of morbidity to the general population, persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) and their caregivers would benefit from data that indicate CHD risk factors. Knowledge of the CHD risk factors and the changes a physical activity intervention may have on theses risk factors will facilitate future intervention programmes. Methods A cohort of 100 men and women between the ages of 21 and 73 years with ID living in a community group home in the North-West Province of South Africa was recruited. A CHD risk profile was compiled by means of a questionnaire and physical assessment that included resting blood pressure, body mass index, non-fasting glucose and cholesterol and cardiorespiratory fitness. A 12-week physical activity intervention was then conducted 3 days/week after which the baseline measurements were repeated. Results The results indicated that 85% of the participants were inactive, while 67% were overweight and obese. Hypertension (6.1%) and smoking (6.1%) were relatively low in this population with ID. Glucose concentrations above the recommended cut-off values were observed in 28% of the participants. Total cholesterol concentrations above normal were measured in 23% of the participants. The physical activity intervention reduced inactivity to 50% and resulted in a significant increase in cardiorespiratory fitness and a decrease in percentage body fat in both men and women. Conclusion Inactivity is a major risk factor in this population with ID living in a community group setting. The implementation of the physical activity intervention significantly reduced the risk factors for CHD.http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2009.01187.
From outside of ethics: Moss, Sarah. Probabilistic Knowledge
Full text linkBook Review published in the From Outside of Ethics section of Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy.
Moss, Sarah. Probabilistic Knowledge. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. Pp. 288. $54.00 (cloth)
Validity of the 16-metre PACER and six-minute walk test in adults with Down syndrome
No full textPurpose: The purpose was to establish criterion-related validity of the 16-metre PACER and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) tests to VO2 peak as well as predictors of VO2 peak in adults with Down syndrome (DS).
Methods: Adults with DS (24 males and 19 females) aged 18–50 years performed the three aerobic tests on non-consecutive days during a one-week period. To assess validity, peak oxygen uptake was measured directly on a motorized treadmill. Pearson–product moment correlations were performed. Predictors of VO2 peak were assessed with a stepwise multiple regression analysis. Agreement between PACER and VO2 peak was assessed by Bland–Altman plot.
Results: Linear regression revealed that the PACER (R2 = 0.86) and the 6MWD (R2 = 0.75) were significantly related to VO2 peak (p 0.7; p < 0.05). PACER, 6MWD and BMI are significant predictors of VO2 peak (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The 16-metre PACER and 6MWD are valid field tests for predicting aerobic capacity in adults with D
Differences in Isokinetic Neck strength between semi-professional rugby players and non-rugby players
No full textPreferred physical activity among setswana-speaking community-dwelling adults in Potchefstroom
No full textPromoting physical activity (PA) in a population by means of enjoyable activities may serve as motivation for long-term participation in PA and improve health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the most preferred type of PA among adults in a Setswana-speaking community from a low socio-economic district of Potchefstroom for future implementation of PA interventions. A sample of 130 people (men: n=50, 38.5%; women: n=80, 61.5%) aged 35 to 65 years (45.8±9.0) agreed to participate in the study. Frequency analyses and chi-square tests were performed to determine the most preferred type and time of PA. Regression analyses were performed to determine the association between preferred type of PA and demographic variables. Most participants (87.7%) reported regular participation in PA. Walking (39.2%) was the most preferred type of PA, followed by domestic duties (13.8%). Exercising before 12am was preferred by 70% of the participants. Age and marital status were the variables most closely associated with PA participation. Weight-bearing activities, such as walking and activities of daily living, such as domestic chores, are recommended for future exercise interventions directed to reduce the burden of non-communicable disease
A new concept in inspiratory and expiratory muscle conditioning: The LUFT
No full texthttp://search.sabinet.co.za/WebZ/Authorize?sessionid=0&next=ej/ej_content_m_sajsm.html&bad=error/authofail.htm
Relationship between gait kinematics and walking energy expenditure during pregnancy in South African women
Full text linkAbstract Background Various musculoskeletal changes occurring during pregnancy may lead to the change in gait and contribute to the increase in walking energy expenditure. Previous research indicates that changes in gait mechanics may lead to the increase in mechanical work required during walking. However, there is little information to indicate if changes in gait mechanics during pregnancy have impact on active or total energy expenditure. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between changes in gait kinematics and walking energy expenditure in pregnant women. Methods Thirty-five women (mean age = 27.5 ± 6.1 years) volunteered for the study during various stages of pregnancy (1st trimester average = 12.1 ± 2.2 weeks; 2nd trimester = 22.3 ± 2.6 weeks; 3rd trimester = 31.4 ± 2.6 weeks). 3D motion analysis was used to assess changes in kinematic parameters during walking at self-selected pace. Resting metabolic rate, and walking energy expenditure expressed in terms of rate and cost of O2 were analysed with portable metabolic analyser. Results Only medio-lateral deviation of centre of gravity (COGML) increased 13.6% between the 1st and 2nd, and 39.3% between 2nd and 3rd trimester (p ≤ 0.001). However, self-selected walking speed depicted strong significant positive linear relationship with net O2 rate (r = 0.70; p ≤ 0.001), and was strongly associated with the vertical excursion of the COG (r = 0.75, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions Changes in gait mechanics during pregnancy may lead to an increase in walking energy expenditure. However, the consequent increase in walking energy cost may not be sufficient to offset the natural energy sparing mechanism
An analysis of associations between electronic nicotine delivery system users
No full textBACKGROUND: Electronic nicotine-delivery systems have been increasing in prevalence among young adults. Although these devices are marketed to aid in quit smoking, young adults who do not smoke traditional cigarettes are using these devices. This study explored associations between individuals' quit type (ie, no plans to quit, plans to quit, or quit > 6 months ago) and perceived health status, perception of harm compared to cigarettes, perception of secondhand vapor harm, and reasons for first use.
METHODS: We utilized a cross-sectional study design using a 33-item electronic survey questionnaire. The total sample size was 2,792. Out of these the ENDS users were 1,217. The survey was distributed to university students in 5 areas in 3 countries: the United States (ie, Florida, Alabama, and Illinois), Germany (ie, Hamburg) and South Africa (ie, Potchefstroom).
RESULTS: Quantitative data analysis indicated that, regardless of quit status, there was a general lack of knowledge regarding secondhand vapor effects. Additionally, young adults are utilizing these products primarily due to peer influence and stress relief. Harm perception may factor into quit attempts using electronic nicotine-delivery systems.
CONCLUSIONS: Education provided by respiratory therapists (and to respiratory therapy students) would be valuable as they inform patients and communities of the scholarly literature on vaping device
Intellectual disability, exercise and aging: the IDEA study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Full text linkBackground: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have low levels of physical activity (PA) together with
accelerated aging profiles. Adherence to PA interventions for persons with ID is low based on barriers such as
motivation. The IDEA study aims to determine the effect of two types of exercise programs, continuous aerobic
(CAEP) vs sprint interval training (SIT), designed for seniors with ID on health-related physical fitness, cardiovascular
parameters, quality of life (QoL), and emotional and cognitive function.
Methods: In this trial, ninety seniors with ID between the ages of 40 and 75 yrs. from occupational health centers
from the Autonomous Region of Catalonia (Spain) will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to the
CAEP, SIT, and control group. Both intervention groups will train 3 days/week, 1.5 h/day over 6 months. Outcome
variables will be assessed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. The outcome variables include weight, height, body
composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, balance, flexibility, cardiovascular parameters (blood
pressure, pulse-wave velocity, pulse-wave analysis), QoL and cognitive function. The intervention effect will be
determined with mixed models with repeated measures to assess changes in the outcome variables over time
(baseline to month 12) and between study arms. Relationship between variables will be analyzed with appropriate
regression analyses.
Discussion: Various studies reported on CAEP and SIT as exercise interventions for persons with ID with beneficial
outcomes on body composition, fitness and blood pressure. To our knowledge, this is the first trial designed to
analyse the positive changes on fitness, PA levels, cardiovascular, QoL and cognitive function promoted by CAEP
training and SIT in seniors with ID. The findings of this study will assist in the development of more effective
exercise interventions to ensure better compliance and adherence to exercise in seniors with I
Construct validity of the neighborhood environment walkability scale for Africa
No full textPurpose: The development of valid measures of built environments relevant for physical activity is an important step toward controlling the global epidemic of physical inactivity–related noncommunicable diseases and deaths. This study assessed the construct validity of a self-report neighborhood environment walkability scale adapted for Africa (NEWS-Africa), by examining relationships with self-reported walking for transportation and recreation using pooled data from six sub-Saharan African countries.
Methods: NEWS was systematically adapted to assess urban, periurban, and rural environments in sub-Saharan Africa. Adults (n = 469, 18–85 yr, 49.7% women) from Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda were purposively recruited from neighborhoods varying in walkability and socioeconomic status, with some from villages. Participants completed the 76-item (13 subscales) NEWS-Africa by structured interview and reported weekly minutes of walking for transport and recreation using items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
Results: The overall “walkability” index had a positive relationship with both walking for transportation (η2 = 0.020, P = 0.005) and recreation (η2 = 0.013, P = 0.028) in the pooled analyses. The mixed-use access and stranger danger scales were positively related with transport walking (η2 = 0.020, P = 0.006 and η2 = 0.021, P = 0.040, respectively). Proximity of recreational facilities (η2 = 0.016, P = 0.015), road/path connectivity (η2 = 0.025, P = 0.002), path infrastructure (η2 = 0.021, P = 0.005), and overall places for walking and cycling (η2 = 0.012, P = 0.029) scales were positively related to recreational walking. Country-specific results were mostly nonsignificant except for South Africa and Uganda.
Conclusions: Of 14 NEWS-Africa scales, 7 were significantly related to walking behavior in pooled analyses, providing partial support for the construct validity of NEWS-Africa. However, effect sizes appeared to be lower than those from other continents. Further study with larger and more diverse samples is needed to determine whether the instrument performs well in each countr
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