Comparison of subjective and objective measures of office workers' sedentary time.

Sedentary behavior is an independent and prominent risk factor for chronic disease. Occupational sitting is likely to be the largest determinant of overall daily sitting time. Gathering accurate data on sedentary behaviors is essential to determine prevalence and effectiveness of interventions to reduce sedentary time. The purpose of this research was to determine whether self-reported sedentary time assessed by the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) and the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) was related to objectively assessed sedentary time by the activPAL3 activity monitor. In the spring of 2015, 44 women employed full-time at Slippery Rock University participated in this study. Participants were predominantly Caucasian (95%), middle-aged (48 ± 10 years), and had an average BMI of 30.5 ± 8.2. A positive, weak correlation was found in sedentary time between the PPAQ (14.65 ± 2.77 h) and the activPAL3 (17.71 ± 1.46 h) over a 24 hour day (r = 0.253; p = 0.098; n = 44). Thirty-nine of the 44 participants significantly underestimated their sedentary time as compared to the activPAL3 (3.06 ± 2.76 h; p = 0.001). A positive, weak correlation was also found in sedentary time between the OSPAQ (5.96 ± 1.11 h) and the activPAL3 (5.69 ± 1.06 h) during the 8.5 hour work day (r = 0.100; p = 0.518; n = 44). Future studies examining sedentary behaviors should use caution when only considering the use of subjective recall surveys. This is especially true when self-reported behaviors are used to inform health promotion programs and create universal recommendations aimed to reduce sedentary time.

Electrocardiographic Responses to Deer Hunting in Men and Women.

OBJECTIVE: Deer hunting includes various stimuli resulting in augmented sympathetic activity, increased heart rate (HR) response, and rhythm changes. Collectively, these superimposed stresses may increase an individual's risk for cardiovascular events. We undertook this study to evaluate HR and rhythm responses in multiple phases of deer hunting in men and women with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: Nineteen participants age 38.3 ± 13.8 years (mean ± SD) with body mass index 29.2 ± 6.9 kg/m(2) followed their normal hunting routine. HR and rhythm were recorded continuously during the hunt using a small leadless electrocardiogram (ECG) patch monitor. RESULTS: Data were collected on 13 of 19 hunters while hiking. Three hunters recorded HR ≥85% of their age-predicted heart rate maximum (HRmax) for 1 to 2 minutes. Arrhythmias were detected in both participants with CVD and in 8 without CVD. Recorded rhythms included premature atrial, junctional, and ventricular complexes. Six hunters climbed a tree stand; 3 of them recorded HR ≥85% HRmax with sustained elevated HR response for 2 to 3 minutes with premature junctional contractions. Four of 19 participants dragged deer carcasses. During the drag, 1 male hunter recorded an HR of 91% HRmax, and another male hunter without CVD recorded an exercise-induced ischemic ECG. Fifteen of 19 hunters experienced "buck fever" (acute extreme excitation), with 7 reaching ≥85% HRmax for up to 1 minute. Ventricular bigeminy and trigeminy and ventricular couplets were observed in 1 subject during buck fever. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women with and without CVD recorded substantial increases in HR and clinically relevant arrhythmias while deer hunting.

Developing best practices teaching procedures for skinfold assessment: observational examination using the Think Aloud method.

Skinfold assessment is valid and economical; however, it has a steep learning curve, and many programs only include one exposure to the technique. Increasing the number of exposures to skinfold assessment within an undergraduate curriculum would likely increase skill proficiency. The present study combined observational and Think Aloud methodologies to quantify procedural and cognitive characteristics of skinfold assessment. It was hypothesized that 1) increased curricular exposure to skinfold assessment would improve proficiency and 2) the combination of an observational and Think Aloud analysis would provide quantifiable areas of emphasis for instructing skinfold assessment. Seventy-five undergraduates with varied curricular exposure performed a seven-site skinfold assessment on a test subject while expressing their thoughts aloud. A trained practitioner recorded procedural observations, with transcripts generated from audio recordings to capture cognitive information. Skinfold measurements were compared with a criterion value, and bias scores were generated. Participants whose total bias fell within ±3.5% of the criterion value were proficient, with the remainder nonproficient. An independent-samples t-test was used to compare procedural and cognitive observations across experience and proficiency groups. Additional curricular exposure improved performance of skinfold assessment in areas such as the measurement of specific sites (e.g., chest, abdomen, and thigh) and procedural (e.g., landmark identification) and cognitive skills (e.g., complete site explanation). Furthermore, the Think Aloud method is a valuable tool for determining curricular strengths and weaknesses with skinfold assessment and as a pedagogical tool for individual instruction and feedback in the classroom.

The comparison of a technology-based system and an in-person behavioral weight loss intervention.

The purpose of this study was to compare a technology-based system, an in-person behavioral weight loss intervention, and a combination of both over a 6-month period in overweight adults. Fifty-one subjects (age: 44.2 ± 8.7 years, BMI: 33.7 ± 3.6 kg/m(2)) participated in a 6-month behavioral weight loss program and were randomized to one of three groups: standard behavioral weight loss (SBWL), SBWL plus technology-based system (SBWL+TECH), or technology-based system only (TECH). All groups reduced caloric intake and progressively increased moderate intensity physical activity. SBWL and SBWL+TECH attended weekly meetings. SBWL+TECH also received a TECH that included an energy monitoring armband and website to monitor energy intake and expenditure. TECH used the technology system and received monthly telephone calls. Body weight and physical activity were assessed at 0 and 6 months. Retention at 6 months was significantly different (P = 0.005) between groups (SBWL: 53%, SBWL+TECH: 100%, and TECH: 77%). Intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis revealed significant weight losses at 6 months in SBWL+TECH (-8.8 ± 5.0 kg, -8.7 ± 4.7%), SBWL (-3.7 ± 5.7 kg, -4.1 ± 6.3%), and TECH (-5.8 ± 6.6 kg, -6.3 ± 7.1%) (P < 0.001). Self-report physical activity increased significantly in SBWL (473.9 ± 800.7 kcal/week), SBWL+TECH (713.9 ± 1,278.8 kcal/week), and TECH (1,066.2 ± 1,371 kcal/week) (P < 0.001), with no differences between groups (P = 0.25). The TECH used in conjunction with monthly telephone calls, produced similar, if not greater weight losses and changes in physical activity than the standard in-person behavioral program at 6 months. The use of this technology may provide an effective short-term clinical alternative to standard in-person behavioral weight loss interventions, with the longer term effects warranting investigation.