Fitness, diet and coronary risk factors in a sample of southeastern U.S. children.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness variables and nutrient intake to coronary risk factors (CRF) in a sample of children living in the Southeastern U.S. A total of 22 sixth-grade children of whom 10 were boys (mean age = 11.83 +/- 0.3) and 12 were girls (mean age 11.7 +/- 0.3) volunteered for this study. Results indicated that boys in comparison to girls weighed more (54.0 +/- 10.8 kg versus 42.1 +/- 8.0 kg; p < 0.05), had a higher body mass index (BMI) (23.6 +/- 2.7 versus 20.2 +/- 3.3; p < 0.05), a higher lean body mass (37.8 +/- 6.0 kg versus 30.7 +/- 3.8 kg; p < 0.01), and a higher systolic blood pressure (115.7 +/- 11.1 versus 106.4 +/- 8.1; p < .0001). There were, however, no significant gender differences in serum lipoproteins or nutrient intake. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that physical fitness variables which included VO2max, one-mile run for time, grip strength, and leg strength could significantly predict resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (F = 3.06; p < 0.05) and percent body fat (F = 4.98; p < 0.01) in children. Analysis of food intake revealed that total and saturated fat, and carbohydrate intake could predict serum triglycerides (TG) (F = 5.18; p = 0.01) while total kilocalorie, fat, and carbohydrate intake could significantly predict percent body fat (F = 3.42; p < 0.03). These findings may be clinically relevant since both serum triglyceride levels and percent body fat were well above the 50th percentile according to U.S. norms. In summary, the present study showed that measurements of muscular strength in addition to aerobic fitness are associated with DBP and percent body fat in children. Furthermore, it is recommended that nutrient intake be used when evaluating CRF in children due to its ability to predict TG and percent body fat.

A preoperative assessment and education program: implementation and outcomes.

A preoperative program was initiated by the nursing staff of an orthopaedic unit to prepare patients and their families by providing information about every aspect of hospitalization for total joint replacement in order to decrease length of stay (LOS) and improve patient satisfaction. This included steps to minimize complications, teaching exercises that would increase post operative function, and quality discharge planning. The program is coordinated by the Patient Care Managers (PCM) and is offered to 4 patients twice weekly. The sample consisted of 463 patients admitted for total hip and knee replacement. The average LOS during the 33-month period was 8.0 days for those patients who received the preoperative program and 8.7 days for those patients who did not. Several outliers that had extended hospitalizations were equally distributed in both groups. By providing education preoperatively, we have not only reduced costs, but we have also provided our patients with timely information and quality care.

Socialization transformation: the passage from caregiver to educator.

The transition from clinical nurse to clinical instructor is not an instinctive one. New instructors do not possess inherent qualities to make this transformation smoothly. It is necessary to provide them with outside assistance. A comprehensive orientation plan featuring mentoring is a viable approach. The plan is designed to provide the novice with consistent information and feedback inevitably leading to role clarification. Once role clarification is achieved, confidence and creativity can flourish. Ultimately, the novice instructor can become a highly-skilled clinical instructor and a valuable asset to the staff development department.

The effects of active and passive recovery on short-term, high intensity power output.

The advantage of active over passive recovery from long and intermediate duration exercise is well documented. Success has been attributed to metabolite washout and/or lactate (La) utilization by the active musculature. This study was designed to determine whether active recovery was superior to passive rest during short duration, high intensity performance. On 4 separate days, six athletes performed a set of eight 6-s power tests separated by 30-s recovery intervals under two recovery conditions. Recovery conditions involved either sitting passively on the bike (P) or actively pedaling (A) at 60 rpm using 1 kg resistance. A MANOVA on peak power (PP), fatigue rate (F), and total work (TW) showed a significant difference due to recovery condition, F(3, 169); p < .0001. Separate ANOVAs revealed that PP (A = 1192.85 watts, P = 1134.57 watts; p < .0001) and TW (A = 6.59 kJ, P = 6.23 kJ; p < .0001) differed significantly between conditions. No difference was found for F (A = 80.12 watts.sec-1, P = 79.80 watts.sec-1). Results indicate that active recovery provides superior performance to passive rest in repeated short-term, high intensity power activities.