Physical Activity Patterns Among Individuals Before and Soon After Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE: Post-operative changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may contribute to improved weight loss and long-term weight maintenance of individuals after bariatric surgery. Patients experience minimal changes in MVPA > 6 months after surgery, but no studies have investigated early changes in physical activity after surgery. This study aims to assess MVPA changes during the rapid weight loss phase through self-reporting and objective measures. METHODS: Physical activity patterns were assessed as minutes per day spent doing MVPA. A walking cadence of ≥ 100 steps per minute defined MVPA. Individuals completing gastric bypass (N = 7) and sleeve gastrectomy (N = 17) procedures (21 females, 3 males, age 42.2 ± 12.6 years, body mass 121.8 ± 24.8 kg, BMI 44.0 ± 6.5) completed office visits at 12 ± 6 days pre- and 35 ± 10 days post-operative. Each wore an ActiGraph GT3X tri-axial accelerometer at the hip for 7 days before and again for 7 days 30.6 ± 10 days after surgery. Assessments also included a subjective question about their anticipated and perceived post-operative MVPA (scale of - 3 to 3 with 3 being much more physically active and - 3 being much less). RESULTS: Participants did not change their minutes per day of MVPA significantly (pre-operative 1.5 ± 2.1; post-operative 2.6 ± 5.6, NS). Participants predicted their post-operative physical activity level would increase (2.8 ± 0.4). The self-reported activity level on the same scale after surgery was significantly less than predicted (1.9 ± 1.0, p < 0.05) but still suggested that participants thought they were more physically active. CONCLUSION: Consistent with reports > 6 months after surgery, MVPA did not increase in the early post-operative period, despite patient expectations. The early post-operative period may be a time for behavioral intervention.

Development of an aerobic capacity prediction model from one-mile run/walk performance in adolescents aged 13-16 years.

A popular algorithm to predict VO2Peak from the one-mile run/walk test (1MRW) includes body mass index (BMI), which manifests practical issues in school settings. The purpose of this study was to develop an aerobic capacity model from 1MRW in adolescents independent of BMI. Cardiorespiratory endurance data were collected on 90 adolescents aged 13-16 years. The 1MRW was administered on an outside track and a laboratory VO2Peak test was conducted using a maximal treadmill protocol. Multiple linear regression was employed to develop the prediction model. Results yielded the following algorithm: VO2Peak = 7.34 × (1MRW speed in m s(-1)) + 0.23 × (age × sex) + 17.75. The New Model displayed a multiple correlation and prediction error of R = 0.81, standard error of the estimate = 4.78 ml kg(-1) · min(-1), with measured VO2Peak and good criterion-referenced (CR) agreement into FITNESSGRAM's Healthy Fitness Zone (Kappa = 0.62; percentage agreement = 84.4%; Φ = 0.62). The New Model was validated using k-fold cross-validation and showed homoscedastic residuals across the range of predicted scores. The omission of BMI did not compromise accuracy of the model. In conclusion, the New Model displayed good predictive accuracy and good CR agreement with measured VO2Peak in adolescents aged 13-16 years.

Comparison of the Effects of Seated, Supine, and Walking Interset Rest Strategies on Work Rate.

Ouellette, KA, Brusseau, TA, Davidson, LE, Ford, CN, Hatfield, DL, Shaw, JM, and Eisenman, PA. Comparison of the effects of seated, supine, and walking interset rest strategies on work rate. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3396-3404, 2016-The idea that an upright posture should be maintained during the interset rest periods of training sessions is pervasive. The primary aim of this study was to determine differences in work rate associated with 3 interset rest strategies. Male and female members of the CrossFit community (male n = 5, female n = 10) were recruited to perform a strenuous training session designed to enhance work capacity that involved both cardiovascular and muscular endurance exercises. The training session was repeated on 3 separate occasions to evaluate 3 interset rest strategies, which included lying supine on the floor, sitting on a flat bench, and walking on a treadmill (0.67 m·s). Work rate was calculated for each training session by summing session joules of work and dividing by the time to complete the training session (joules of work per second). Data were also collected during the interset rest periods (heart rate [HR], respiratory rate [RR], and volume of oxygen consumed) and were used to explain why one rest strategy may positively impact work rate compared with another. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the passive and active rest strategies, with the passive strategies allowing for improved work rate (supine = 62.77 ± 7.32, seated = 63.66 ± 8.37, and walking = 60.61 ± 6.42 average joules of work per second). Results also suggest that the passive strategies resulted in superior HR, RR, and oxygen consumption recovery. In conclusion, work rate and physiological recovery were enhanced when supine and seated interset rest strategies were used compared with walking interset rest.

Cross-Validation of Aerobic Capacity Prediction Models in Adolescents.

Cardiorespiratory endurance is a component of health-related fitness. FITNESSGRAM recommends the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) or One mile Run/Walk (1MRW) to assess cardiorespiratory endurance by estimating VO2 Peak. No research has cross-validated prediction models from both PACER and 1MRW, including the New PACER Model and PACER-Mile Equivalent (PACER-MEQ) using current standards. The purpose of this study was to cross-validate prediction models from PACER and 1MRW against measured VO2 Peak in adolescents. Cardiorespiratory endurance data were collected on 90 adolescents aged 13-16 years (Mean = 14.7 ± 1.3 years; 32 girls, 52 boys) who completed the PACER and 1MRW in addition to a laboratory maximal treadmill test to measure VO2 Peak. Multiple correlations among various models with measured VO2 Peak were considered moderately strong (R = .74-0.78), and prediction error (RMSE) ranged from 5.95 ml·kg⁻¹,min⁻¹ to 8.27 ml·kg⁻¹.min⁻¹. Criterion-referenced agreement into FITNESSGRAM's Healthy Fitness Zones was considered fair-to-good among models (Kappa = 0.31-0.62; Agreement = 75.5-89.9%; F = 0.08-0.65). In conclusion, prediction models demonstrated moderately strong linear relationships with measured VO2 Peak, fair prediction error, and fair-to-good criterion referenced agreement with measured VO2 Peak into FITNESSGRAM's Healthy Fitness Zones.

Waist circumference, pedometer placement, and step-counting accuracy in youth.

This study examined whether differences in waist circumference (WC) and pedometer placement (anterior vs. midaxillary vs. posterior) affect the agreement between pedometer and observed steps during treadmill and self-paced walking. Participants included 19 pairs of youth (9- 15-years-old) who were matched for sex, race, and height and stratified by WC (high WC: HWC; low WC: LWC). Participants performed 3-min treadmill-walking trials at speeds of 59, 72, and 86 m x min(-1) and a 400-m self-paced walking trial on level ground. Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement between pedometer and observed steps of spring-levered pedometers by WC, pedometer placement, and walking speed. In the HWC group, the posterior pedometer placement consistently agreed most closely with observed steps at all treadmill speeds and during self-paced walking. In the LWC group, no single pedometer placement consistently agreed most closely with observed steps at all treadmill speeds and during self-paced walking. We conclude that a posterior pedometer placement improves step-count accuracy in most youth with an HWC at a range of walking speeds on level ground.

Adjustment for gas exchange threshold enhances precision of heart rate-derived VO2 estimates during heavy exercise.

Overestimates of oxygen uptake (VO2) are derived from the heart rate reserve-VO2 reserve (HRR-VO2R) model. We tested the hypothesis that adjusting for differences above and below gas exchange threshold (HRR-GET model) would tighten the precision of HR-derived VO2 estimates during heavy exercise. Seven men and 7 women of various VO2 max levels, on 2 separate days, cycled for 6 min at intensities equal to power at GET, 15% the difference between GET and VO2 max (15% above), and at 30% above GET. A second bout at 15% above GET (15% above (bout 2)) after 3 min of recovery was performed to assess estimates during interval training. Actual VO2 was compared with estimates derived from the HRR-VO2R and the HRR-GET. VO2 values were summed over the 6 min duration of data collection (6 min LO2) and compared with Bland-Altman plots. HRR-VO2R yielded 6 min LO2 (+/-2 SD) overestimates of 2.0 (+/-2.5), 1.9 (+/-2.7), and 1.3 (+/-3.3) for GET, 15% over, and 30% over, respectively, whereas corresponding 6 min LO2 difference values for the HRR-GET model were -0.42 (+/-1.6), -0.23 (+/-1.1), and -0.55 (+/-1.8), respectively. For 15% above (bout 2), the 6 min LO2 difference for HRR-VO2R was 1.8 (+/-2.9), whereas the difference for HRR-GET was 0.17 (+/-1.4). The 6 min LO2 values relative to the subjects' VO2 max did not vary (r=0.05 to 0.36); therefore, fitness level did not affect estimates. Sex did not affect accuracy of either estimate model (sex X estimate model interaction, p>0.95). We observed accurate estimates from the HRR-GET model during heavy exercise.

Eccentric strain at long muscle length evokes the repeated bout effect.

The repeated bout effect (RBE) is a phenomenon characterized by less delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and torque deficit after the second of 2 separate eccentric exercise bouts. Previous investigators have reported that shifting of optimum angle after an initial bout of eccentric exercise mediates the RBE. We hypothesized that an RBE for elbow extensor exercise occurs after an initial bout performed at long (starting position of 50 degrees to an end position of 130 degrees) but not short (starting position of 0 degrees to an end position of 80 degrees) muscle length because strain at long length evokes a shifting of the optimum angle to a longer length. Untrained women performed an initial bout at either long or short length (n = 9 per group) followed 1 week later by a repeated bout (RB) through the full ROM (0-130 degrees). Extensor torque and optimum angle was evaluated before, immediately after, and 2 days after each bout. A mechanical transducer depressed on the triceps brachii quantified DOMS. Torque deficits were 3% and 7% after exercise at short vs. long length, respectively. Two days after the RB, torque deficit was 8% and 1% for those previously exercising at short vs. long length (group x bout, p < 0.05). Greater DOMS (N) was observed after exercise at long (16 +/- 3) vs. short (23 +/- 2) length; whereas greater DOMS occurred for the short-length (17 +/- 2) vs. long (26 +/- 3) group after the RB (group x bout, p < 0.05). Optimum angle shifted to a longer length after exercise at long (+10 +/- 4 degrees) vs. short (+1 +/- 3 degrees) length (group x bout, p < 0.05). After the RB, those exercising previously at short length experienced a shift of +15 +/- 4 degrees (main effect, p < 0.05). The findings of this study indicate that the repetitive strain at long but not short muscle length evokes both immediate and sustained shifts in optimum angle to longer lengths, and that this shifting mediates (r(2) = 0.71) the RBE.

Quantifying physical activity via pedometry in elementary physical education.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine a pedometer steps per minute standard for quantifying the lesson time that first- and second-grade physical education students spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). METHODS: The sample was divided into validation (N = 246) and cross-validation (N = 123) samples using the holdout technique. Using the criterion test model, steps per minute cut points were empirically and judgmentally determined. C-SOFIT systematic observation was the criterion instrument and pedometry was the predictor instrument. Data were collected from 45 physical education lessons implemented in six schools. The three-step analytic procedure of computing mastery/nonmastery outcome probabilities, phi coefficients, and error proportions was used to determine the optimal steps per minute cut point for quantifying 33.33% of the physical education lesson time engaged in MVPA within a 30 class. RESULTS: Steps per minute was highly correlated with observation (r = 0.74-0.86, P < 0.0001). Five steps per minute scores that were accurate indicators of 33.33% of the class time engaged in MVPA in the validation sample were accurate indicators of steps per minute in the cross-validation sample. The optimal steps per minute cut point ranged from 60.00 to 63.00, which is equivalent to 1800-1890 steps in a 30-min physical education class. CONCLUSION: Data supports the use of pedometry steps per minute values as an accurate indicator of MVPA. Pedometry demonstrates promise as a viable large-scale surveillance instrument for measuring MVPA in physical education.