13 research outputs found
Is the Small Changes programme clinically effective for adults who are obese?
No full textThis thesis concerns the treatment of (N=148) male and female clients in a weight management programme: Small Changes the thesis compares treatment as usual with a new approach using motivational interviewing. Firstly a preface sets out the historical context of Small Changes and how it developed and was originally funded before the aims of the thesis and the detail encompassed in each chapter are set out. Following this an introduction chapter presents the key constructs and theories surrounding motivational interviewing. This leads into study 1, a systematic review addressing the question: What should be included in a comprehensive weight management programme? The conclusion to this question is a mixture of input from: nutrition and exercise expertise combined with a clear behavioural approach, measures that encompass important clinical parameters, other than just weight, and sufficient length of follow-up post treatment. This conclusion forms the basis of the study 2 literature review which focusses on the contribution of motivational interviewing for affecting exercise and nutrition behaviours with the aim of improving weight management outcomes. The literature review leads into the methodology for study 2 which outlines the measures used, the follow-up period and the detail of what was done in study 2; sufficiently clearly for others to replicate what was done. From this chapter a separate results chapter reveals the statistical results for the outcome measures included in study 2. The discussion chapter then follows and focusses on the interpretation, critique and analysis of the results and relates these back to the literature presented in the literature review for study 2. Finally conclusions and short-comings of the study 2 investigation are explored and further research considerations made
Nutritional peak week and competition day strategies of competitive natural bodybuilders
No full textBodybuilders utilize peaking strategies in a bid to fine-tune their aesthetics for competition day. The most prevalent peaking strategies utilized by natural bodybuilders are unreported in the current literature. Eighty-one (M - 59, F - 22) natural bodybuilders were recruited from competitions during the 2016 and 2017 British Natural Bodybuilder Federation seasons. Competitors completed a 34-item questionnaire designed to investigate peaking and contest day strategies. The questionnaire listed commonly utilized peaking strategies and provided additional space for qualitative information. Analysis of the data indicated that carbohydrate (CHO), water and sodium manipulation were the most commonly utilized peak week strategies. The consumption of high glycemic index CHO was the most common competition day strategy. Only 6.2 % of competitors reported following their regular diet the week prior to competition. The CHO manipulation strategies were similar to classical CHO loading, whereby bodybuilders attempt to maximize muscle glycogen concentrations. Furthermore, bodybuilders attempted to remove superfluous water by exploiting the diuretic/polyuria effect associated with water loading/restriction. The potentially deleterious effects of peaking on bodybuilders' health is considered and the efficacy of these strategies to enhance appearance is discussed. The findings of the present investigation are likely to be of interest to bodybuilders and their coaches
Rubric Authoring Tool for Supporting the Development and Assessment of Cognitive Skills in Higher Education
No full textThis paper explores a method to support instructors in assessing cognitive skills in their course, designed to enable aggregation of data across an institution. A rubric authoring tool, ‘BASICS’ (Building Assessment Scaffolds for Intellectual Cognitive Skills) was built as part of the Queen’s University Learning Outcomes Assessment (LOA) Project. It provides a workflow for assessment choices and generates an assessment rubric that can be tailored to individual needs based on user input. The dimensions and criteria in BASICS were adapted from the Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education (VALUE) rubrics, and drew on annotations from over 900 work samples from the LOA project. This paper summarizes the development of the tool, and presents initial reliability and validity data from a pilot study. The pilot found that the BASICS developed rubric was consistent for the assessment of critical thinking and problem solving. The pilot compared assessment data derived from course Teaching Assistants with that of trained Research Assistants. Analysis found moderate intraclass correlation coefficients between the BASICS rubric and corresponding VALUE rubric dimensions, suggesting that the BASICS rubric aligned with the VALUE criteria. Preliminary findings suggest that BASICS is an effective tool for instructors to author rubrics, tailored to their own specifications for assessment of cognitive skills in a course. It is also promising as a method for aggregation of data across the institution. Researchers are conducting further investigation to evaluate the reliability of BASICS rubrics over multiple work samples from a range of disciplinary contexts
Responses to oral glucose challenge differ by physical activity volume and intensity : a pilot study.
No full textBackground: One hour postprandial hyperglycaemia is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity has short-term beneficial effects on post-meal glucose response. This study compared the oral glucose tolerance test results of 3 groups of people with habitually different levels of physical activity.
Methods: Thirty-one adults without diabetes (age 25.9 ± 6.6 years; body mass index 23.8 ± 3.8 kg.m-2) were recruited into 3 groups based on self-reported physical activity volume and intensity: Low Activity = < 30 min.day-1 of 'moderate' intensity activity (n = 11), Moderately Active = ≥ 30 min.day-1 of 'moderate' intensity physical activity (n = 10), and Very Active = ≥ 60 min.day-1 of 'intense' physical activity (n = 10). Participants completed an oral glucose tolerance test (50 g glucose) with capillary blood samples obtained at baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes post-ingestion.
Results: There were no significant differences between groups for age or percentage body fat or glycated haemoglobin (p> 0.05). The groups were significantly different in terms of baseline glucose, gender and BMI and this was accounted for in the analysis. There was a statistically significant effect of physical activity on the one hour postprandial glucose results (p=0.029), with differences between Very Active and Low Activity (p=0.008) groups but not between the Moderately Active and Low Activity groups (p=0.360), even when baseline glucose and gender differences were accounted for. For iAUC there was no significant effect of activity group once gender and bodyfat % had been accounted for. Those in the Low Activity group took an average 13.2 (95% CI: 2.8 – 23.5) minutes longer to reach peak glucose level than those in the Very Active group and this was significant (p=0.015).
Conclusion: The results suggest that high levels of physical activity have a beneficial effect on postprandial blood glucose profiles when compared to low and moderate levels of activity
Effectiveness of training final-year undergraduate nutritionists in motivational interviewing
No full textObjectives - To assess the efficacy of a motivational interviewing (MI) training programme on trainee nutritionists.
Methods - A repeated measures design was applied to assess clinician behaviours in a ‘helping’ conversation. Participants were 32 nutrition students, assessed at baseline and one-month follow-up.
Results - The training significantly reduced the use of closed questions and MI non-adherent behaviours (MINA) (P for both = <0.001). Trainees significantly increased reflections, affirmations, summaries (P for all = <0.001) and the use of open questions (P = <0.013) which are all key indicators of MI beginner-competence. The talk-time ratio of the nutritionists also changed significantly, in favour of the client which serves as an indication of MI being used effectively. There were also significant increases in ‘global' scores for empathy, direction, autonomy/support, collaboration and evocation.
Conclusions - Newly trained nutritionists 1 month post-training have a consultation style which suggested positive outcomes for clients. The trainees' scores at the one month post-training assessment were verifiable as ‘beginning proficiency'.
Practice implications - Behaviour change counselling skills for nutritionists were enhanced, at one month post-training. MI training workshops with video feedback enhances communication skills which are likely to lead to positive consultation-behaviour changes in the trainee nutritionists
Citrulline Malate fails to improve German volume training performance in healthy young men and women
No full textBackground: Citrulline malate (CM) is purported to buffer lactic acid, enhance oxygen delivery, and attenuate muscle soreness. Anaerobic exercise trials with CM have produced conflicting results. Objective: The aim of the current investigation was to test the efficacy of CM on resistance training (RT) with the hypothesis that CM would improve performance. Design: A double-blind, counter-balanced, randomised control trial was utilised to assess the effects of CM on RT. 19 subjects (8 female) (25.7 ± 7.7 years), regularly engaged in RT consumed either 8 g of CM (1.1 : 1 ratio) or a placebo (6 g citric acid). Subjects attempted to perform a German Volume Training (GVT) protocol comprising 10 sets of 10 repetitions of barbell curls at 80 % of their one repetition maximum. Results: Repeated ANOVA suggested no effect of CM on RT performance (treatment × time × order p = 0.217). There was no difference (p = 0.320) in the total number of reps over the ten sets (CM median = 57, IQR 45 to 73; placebo median = 61, IQR 51 to 69). Blood lactate and creatine kinase did not differ between CM and placebo (p > 0.05). Finally, total muscle soreness was reduced significantly in CM compared to placebo (treatment × time × order p = 0.004). Conclusions: These results require corroboration; an ergogenic benefit is yet to be established and weight trainers should exercise caution when assessing the efficacy of CM. Future research should focus on the potential effects of loading doses of CM
Biopsychosocial effects of competition preparation in natural bodybuilders.
No full textBodybuilders are judged on the subjective visual assessment of their muscular size, proportion, and leanness. This case series tracked four drug-free bodybuilders (3 male) during the off-season, pre-competition and recovery phases. This study aimed to comprehensively profile key biopsychosocial changes occurring pre/post competition in a group of British natural bodybuilders. We measured: resting metabolic rate (RMR), body composition (via BIA, ultrasound and sum of 7 skinfolds), lipid profiles, fasted glucose, blood pressure, power output (Wingate), grip strength, and carried out psychometric questionnaires (EAT-26, STAI, BUT) over an eight-month period. Mean weight loss from 5 months (5M) to pre-contest (PRE) was 8.6 +/- 4.1 kg, followed by an increase of 7.9 +/- 1.6 kg two months post contest (POST). The mean RMR of the cohort was stable from 1899 +/- 630 kcal (5M) to 1897 +/- 598 kcal (PRE), before decreasing to 1797 +/- 242 kcal (POST). Mean peak power declined from 770 +/- 113.0 w (5M), to 700.0 +/- 134.4 w (PRE), before increasing to 816.0 +/- 116.2 w (POST). Competition dieting had no effect on EAT-26 or BUT scores, suggesting no body dysmorphic or eating disorder concerns, although trait anxiety was elevated in three out of the four participants throughout the observation. Many of the biopsychosocial changes that occur to bodybuilders as they prepare for competition return to baseline measurements 2 months post competition
Circulating total 25(OH)D and calculated free 25(OH)D in professional academy footballers at a northerly latitude in the UK
No full textThere is limited data on the vitamin D status of UK-based professional academy footballers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to report total 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D and free 1,25(OH)2D at the end of the winter (March) and summer periods (October) in a cohort (n = 27) of professional academy footballers in northern England. Blood samples were collected to measure total 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D binding protein, albumin and calcium. Free 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2D were calculated. Dietary vitamin D intake and retrospective summer sunlight exposure were also collected. At the end of winter, 2/27 (7.4%) players were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D 30 nmol/l < 50 nmol/l). By the end of summer, none were deficient but 3/14 (21.4%) were still insufficient. Median total 25(OH)D(82.2 nmol/l [IQR: 50.3–90.2] vs. 54.2 nmol/l [IQR: 36.8–71.9]; P = .02), free 25(OH)D (25.8 pmol/l [IQR: 15.1–33.1] vs. 13.2 pmol/l [IQR: 9.0–14.9]; P = .005) and free 1, 25(OH)2D (389 fmol/l [IQR: 209–594] vs. 212 fmol/l [IQR: 108–278]; P = .034) were significantly higher at the end of summer than the end of winter. At the end of winter, free 25(OH)D was lower (P = .003) in those vitamin D insufficient (8.8 pmol/l [IQR: 5.5–11.8]) vs. sufficient (13.7 pmol/l [IQR: 12.0 17.0]). There was a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency at the end of the winter. Free 25(OH)D was also lower at the winter timepoint and in players that were insufficient vs. sufficient
Effect of bilberry juice on indices of muscle damage and inflammation in runners completing a half-marathon: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
No full textBackground: Emerging evidence indicates that fruits rich in polyphenols may attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage and associated markers of inflammation and soreness. This study was conducted to determine whether bilberry juice (BJ), which is particularly rich in polyphenols, reduces markers of muscle damage in runners completing a half marathon.
Methods: A total of 21 recreationally trained runners (age 30.9 ± 10.4 y; mass 71.6 ± 11.0 kg; M=16; F=5) were recruited to a single blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel study. Participants were block randomised to consume 2 x 200 ml of BJ or energy-matched control drink (PLA) for 5 d before the Sheffield Half Marathon, on race day, and for 2 days post-race. Measurements of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), muscle damage (creatine kinase; CK) and inflammation (c-reactive protein ; CRP) were taken at baseline, pre-race, post-race, 24 h post-race and 48 h post-race. The effect of treatment on outcome measures was analysed using magnitude-based inferences based on data from 19 participants; 2 participants were excluded from the analyses because they did not provide samples for all time points.
Results: The half marathon caused elevations in DOMS, CRP and CK. BJ had a possibly harmful effect on DOMS from pre-race to immediately post-race (11.6%, 90% CI ± 14.7%), a likely harmful effect on CRP from pre-race to 24 h post-race (mean difference ES 0.56, 90% CI ± 0.72) and a possibly harmful effect on CRP from pre-race to 48 h post-race (ES 0.12, 90% CI ± 0.69). At other time points, the differences between the BJ and PLA groups in DOMS and CRP were unclear, possibly trivial or likely trivial. Differences in the changes in CK between BJ and PLA were unclear at every time point other than from baseline to pre-race, where BJ had a possibly harmful effect on reducing muscle damage (ES 0.23, 90% CI ± 0.57).
Conclusion: Despite being a rich source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, BJ evoked small to moderate increases in exercise-induced DOMS and CRP. Further larger studies are required to confirm these unexpected preliminary results
Weight loss is coupled with improvements to affective state in obese participants engaged in behavior change therapy based on incremental, self-selected “Small Changes”
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a group behavior change intervention involving self-selected, contextualized, and mediated goal setting on anthropometric, affective, and dietary markers of health. It was hypothesized that the intervention would elicit changes consistent with accepted health recommendations for obese individuals. A rolling program of 12-week “Small Changes” interventions during 24 months recruited 71 participants; each program accommodated 10 to 13 adults (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2). Fifty-eight participants completed Small Changes. Repeated measures were made at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Anthropometric measures included height and weight (to calculate BMI), body composition, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Affective state was monitored using relevant validated questionnaires. Dietary assessment used 3-day household measures food diaries with Schofield equations to monitor underreporting. Relevant blood measures were recorded throughout. Across the measurement period, Small Changes elicited a significant reduction in body weight (baseline, 102.95 ± 15.47 vs 12 weeks 100.09 ± 16.01 kg, P < .0005), coupled with associated significant improvements in BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference measures. There were additional significant positive changes in measures of affective state including general well-being (baseline, 58.92 ± 21.22 vs 12 weeks 78.04 ± 14.60, P < .0005) and total mood disturbance (baseline, 31.19 ± 34.03 vs 12 weeks 2.67 ± 24.96, P < .0005). Dietary changes that occurred were largely consistent with evidenced-based recommendations for weight management and included significant reductions in total energy intake and in fat and saturated fat as a proportion of energy. The Small Changes approach can elicit a range of health-orientated benefits for obese participants, and although further work is needed to ascertain the longevity of such effects, the outcomes from Small Changes are likely to help inform health professionals when framing the future of weight management. Long-term follow-up of Small Changes is warranted
