Background: Accelerometers have been suggested to provide additional information during the 6-min walk test which may be useful in evaluating changes in functional exercise capacity. The aim of the study was to identify whether the additional information measured by the MyWellness Key (MWK) accelerometer during a treadmill 6-min walk test (t-6MWT) was related to currently used outcome measures…
Purpose: This study was designed to characterize and compare the vertical (kvert) and leg (kleg) stiffness measured during running in two different footwear conditions on negative, level, and positive slopes, using kinematic data only. Methods: Fourteen male recreational runners (age 23.4 4.4 years, height 177.5 5.2 cm, and body mass 69.5 5.3 kg) were tested on 2 separate days within 1 w…
Background: Poor sleep quality is associated with adverse effects on health outcomes. It is not clear whether exercise can improve sleep quality and whether intensity of exercise affects any of the effects. Methods: Fifteen healthy, non-obese (body mass index ¼ 24.4 2.1 kg/m2, mean SD), sedentary (
Purpose: Long-term training specificity is thought to alter performance in tests evaluating strength and power production capability. The aim of the present study was to provide additional information to the limited existing knowledge concerning the possible differences of the force/time profile of squat jumping among different groups of young female athletes. Methods: One hundred and seventy-…
Despite the large number of articles published in the medical literature advocating the use of Tai Ji Quan for a wide variety of health-related outcomes, there has been little systematic broad-scale implementation of these programs. It may be argued that the lack of funding from organizations capable of implementing and overseeing large-scale programs, such as governmental health agencies or na…
Tai Ji Quan is considered to be a part of traditional Chinese Wushu (a martial art) and comprises various styles that have evolved historically from the Chen, Yang, Wǔ, Wu´ , and Sun families (schools). Recent simplification of the original classic styles has made Tai Ji Quan easier to adopt in practice. Thus, the traditional legacy of using Tai Ji Quan for self-defense, mindful nurturing of …
The relationship between physical activity (PA) and cognition has received much attention recently. While evidence of improved cognition following PA has consistently been observed, the majority of studies have spotlighted aerobic exercise and the effects of other modes of PA, such as Tai Ji Quan, on cognition have received limited attention. This article provides a brief review of the literatu…
Currently there are more than 13.7 million cancer survivors living in the U.S., and that figure is projected to increase by 31% in the next decade, adding another 4 million cancer survivors into the healthcare system. Cancer is largely a disease of aging, and the aging of the population will sharply raise the proportion of older cancer survivors, many of whom will be long-term survivors (5þ ye…
Tai Ji Quan, developed as a martial art, has traditionally served multiple purposes, including self-defense, competition/performance, and health promotion. With respect to health, the benefits historically and anecdotally associated with Tai Ji Quan are now being supported by scientific and clinical research, with mounting evidence indicating its potential value in preventing and managing vario…
Falls in older adults are a significant public health issue and a particularly significant health risk in Minnesota. With accumulating research evidence suggesting that falls can be prevented through exercise, there is an increased public health effort among organizations serving older adults to translate and disseminate evidence-based programs into the community. Such efforts, however, face ad…
Falls among people aged 65 and older are a significant public health problem and one that is expected to increase as the population ages.Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that Tai Ji Quan can reduce falls and associated injuries among older adults. In this paper, we describe how Tai Ji Quan community programs are being utilized by public health and aging services organizations to r…
The article by Fink and Houston1 in this special issue of Journal of Sport and Health Science provides an excellent example of implementing an evidence-based fall prevention program in real communities with diverse cultures of elderly populations. Although preliminary, the project revealed a number of interconnected barriers and facilitators that shed light on practical implications (“less…
Older adult falls are a significant public health problem, but one that is amenable to preventive interventions.1,2 Despite the progress made in identifying risk factors, developing efficacious health-related interventions, and promoting evidencebased programs in the community, much work remains before these strategies are broadly available and effectively used to reduce fall-related injuries.3…
Background: Preventing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is very important for athletes, and dynamic knee valgus is considered a risk factor for non-contact ACL injury. However, little is known about whether the functions of the hip abductor and rear-foot increase dynamic knee valgus. A two-dimensional (2D) video-based screening test focused on hip abductor and rear-foot functions among…
The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of traditional Chinese health exercise (TCHE) is analyzed. The effect of meridians and acupoints contained in TCHE is summarized, the treatment methods of tonifying deficiencies and reducing excesses applied in TCHE are discussed, the regulation of Zang-fu organs are emphasized, and the leading role of Qi is introduced. The exercise prescription and…
Purpose: Educating adolescents about energy balance (EB) is essential for effective weight control. This study utilized the Sensewear (SWA)armband and a diet journal to promote adolescents’ EB knowledge and motivation. Methods: Ninety sixth graders were randomly assigned into the experimental group (n ¼ 46) who utilized SWA and diet journal for 7 consecutive days or the control group (n ¼ …
Background: Cognitive impairment is prevalent among older adults and results in degraded quality of life for older adults. As the population ages, this may cause a huge burden to society. Research has demonstrated that physical exercise is beneficial to cognitive function. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to critically assess the effect of Tai Chi exercise on global cognitive, executive, a…
Background: Overweight and obesity has become a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. Studies suggest that making small changes in daily activity levels such as “breaking-up” sedentary time (i.e., standing) may help mitigate the health risks of sedentary behavior. The aim of the present study was to examine time spent in standing (determined by count threshold), lying, a…
Objective: To examine factors of the youth physical activity promotion (YPAP) model that are associated with Chinese international students’ meeting PA recommendations (MPAR). Methods: A total of 649 (females ¼ 320, males ¼ 329) Chinese international college students participated in the study. This study was conducted in the United States (US.) between June and August in 2011. Participants…
Natural adult aging is associated with many functional impairments of the human neuromuscular system. One of the more observable alterations is the loss of contractile muscle mass, termed sarcopenia. The loss of muscle mass occurs primarily due to a progressive loss of viable motor units, and accompanying atrophy of remaining muscle fibers. Not only does the loss of muscle mass contribute to im…
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the program “No more smoking! It’s time for physical activity”, with a mixed methods design, in order to collect information to improve the program for future applications. Methods: Forty patients across five anti-smoking clinics in Central Greece completed the program. Counselors’ records and participants’questionnaires and interviews w…
Exergaming provides an initial situationally interesting environment in physical education (PE) that serves to motivate novice players to engage in PE or physical activity. Current research suggests, however, that as students persist in this activity their situational interest decreases as their ability to exercise consistently at moderate intensity levels increases. In this article I will brie…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare children’s physical activity (PA) levels, self-efficacy, and enjoyment when experiencing dance-exergaming (Dance Dance Revolution, DDR) and aerobic dance in physical education. Methods: A total of 53 urban fourth grade children were divided into two groups, with one group playing DDR and the other group engaged in aerobic dance. After 15 min,…
Purpose: This study was to investigate the association between ulnar variance (UV) and biological and training characteristics, handgrip, and wrist pain in a group of 23 Portuguese skeletally immature male gymnasts (aged 11.2 2.5 years). Methods: Left and right UV was obtained using Hafner’s procedure and skeletal age was determined by the TannereWhitehouse 3-method. A negative mean value …
Purpose: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted to determine whether a 6-week low calorie diet and aerobic exercise intervention could alter metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in pre-pubescent obese Chinese children. Methods: The subjects were randomized into diet and exercise (DE) and control (C) groups. The DE group ingested 1600e2000 kcal/day adjusted to each participant’s basal…
The present study was built upon a previous study on the new generation video game, exergame, in elementary school physical education (PE). The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of exergames on elementary children’s in-class physical activity (PA) intensity levels and perceived situational interest over time. The results indicated that students’ situational interest dropped dra…
Balance is an essential component of movement and is critical in the ability to participate in physical activity. Developing an exergaming curriculum for schools has the potential to improve balance or postural stability in children. In this study, a purposely-built exergaming center in an elementary school was used to test fourth grade students with a specially designed exergaming curriculum o…
Both exercise and aging increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can result in damage to cells. Aging is the result of damage caused by ROS to the mitochondrial genome in post mitotic cells and numerous studies have demonstrated an increase in ROS or their byproducts with exercise. ROS can cause oxidative stress as they overwhelm the antioxidant cellular defenses. Therefore interventions a…
Mitochondrial redox metabolism has long been recognized as being central to the effects of aging and the development of age-related pathologies in the major oxidative organs. Consistent evidence has shown that exercise is able to retard the onset and impede the progression of aging by modifying mitochondrial oxidanteantioxidant homeostasis. Here we provide a broad overview of the research evide…
This article focuses on the current underlying of molecular mechanisms of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g coactivator-1a (PGC-1a) mediated pathway and discuss possible therapeutic benefits of increased mitochondrial biogenesis in compensating for mitochondrial dysfunction and ameliorating aging and aging-related diseases. PGC-1a is the master transcription regulator that stimul…
In this short review we describe implications of age-related changes of protein and DNA oxidation as a public mechanism of biological aging.Oxidativelymodified protein andDNAhave been demonstrated to increasewith advancing age in rodents. Half-life of proteins is extended andDNArepair activity declines in old animals.Dietary restriction initiated late in life can shorten the half-life of protei…
Background: Anecdotally, parents often report that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who engage in regular physical activity (PA) experience positive behavioral changes. The purpose of this study was to examine this anecdotal relationship to provide preliminary evidence relevant to the potential benefits of PA on ADHD symptoms. Methods: Parents (n ¼ 68) of children…
Background: Although emerging evidence points to benefits from Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) in improving immune system function, its effects on cellular immune responses remain under-studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of TCC training on cellular immunity in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Methods: A 2-group randomized trial design in which post-surgical, non-small cel…
Background: Shoulder flexion requires an optimal length of the latissimus dorsi muscle in order to allow full lateral rotation of the humerus and upward scapular rotation. If shoulder flexion (in an externally rotated position) is restricted, this may predispose the individual to shoulder pathology. Sports such as swimming and canoeing have increased shoulder injuries and require high levels of…
Background: No studies have compared effectiveness of resistance training and Tai Ji exercise on relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of the study was to evaluate effects of a 10-week Tai Ji and resistance training intervention on improving OA symptoms and mobility in seniors with knee OA. Methods: Thirty-one seniors (60e85 years) were randomly assigned to a Tai Ji progr…
Purpose: To investigate the link between peak oxygen uptake and regional body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in Japanese subjects. Methods: A total of 93 men (42.2 12.3 years old) and 106 women (43.5 12.3 years old) were enrolled in this cross-sectional investigation study. Peak oxygen uptake was measured by the breath-by-breath method. Regional body composition i.e…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent that a static stretching program could increase heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2), and if the increases were sufficient to serve as a warm-up for aerobic activity. Methods: The HR and VO2 of 15 male and 16 female college students were measured after either 12 min of passive static stretching (SS), or 12 min pseudo-stretc…
Background: The majority of injuries reported in female basketball players are ankle sprains and mechanisms leading to injury have been debated. Investigations into muscular imbalances in barefoot versus shod conditions and their relationship with injury severity have not been performed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing athletic shoes on muscular strength and …
Purpose: This study explored the relationship between mental toughness and college basketball performance, specifically examining possible moderating variables (gender and starting status). Methods: Male and female (n ¼ 197) college basketball players completed the Psychological Performance Inventory-Alternative (PPI-A), a measure of characteristics and skills consistent with mental toughness…
Background: Understanding leisure time physical inactivity is a priority in Westernized nations where participation rates are low. The present study sought to address this priority by examining whether the extraversion and emotional instability to leisure time exercise relationships were mediated through Elliot’s (1999) 2 2 achievement goals. Methods: Participants were 116 female and 97 ma…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between children’s situational motivation and physical activity (PA) levels in a Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) program, and perceived PA enjoyment. Methods: A sample of 215 elementary children participated in a weekly 30-min DDR program. Children’s situational motivation toward DDR (intrinsic motivation, identified regulati…
Background: The influence of self-presentation concerns on the adolescent sport experience has received scant empirical attention. The purpose of this investigation was to prospectively examine the relationship among self-presentational concerns and pre-game affective states among middle and high school aged football players. Methods: American football players (n ¼ 112; mean age ¼ 15.57 year…
Background: The parent-to-child influences can be adaptive and contribute to the optimal psychological well-being and positive perception of the athlete. Contrary to the healthy parental involvement, a family can also have negative effects on an athlete development. The purpose of this study was to determine gender, father involvement, and mother involvement differences in the psychological pro…
We report an extremely rare case of both recurrent lateral patella dislocation and medial patellofemoral instability, following prior operations to correct patella maltracking. Manual translation of the patella revealed medial and lateral instability with a positive apprehension sign. 3-D computer modelling of kinematics based on MRI data demonstrated that the patella deviated laterally at full…
Clinical disorders often are characterized by a breakdown in dynamical processes that contribute to the control of upright standing. Disruption to a large number of physiological processes operating at different time scales can lead to alterations in postural center of pressure (CoP)fluctuations. Multiscale entropy (MSE) has been used to identify differences in fluctuations of postural CoP time…
Background: Interpersonal coordination is an essential aspect of daily life, and crucial to performance in cooperative and competitive team sports. While empirical research has investigated interpersonal coordination using a wide variety of analytical tools and frameworks, to date very few studies have employed multifractal techniques to study the nature of interpersonal coordination across mul…
Literate individuals possess knowledge and skill and can apply these to perform tasks in novel settings. Knowledge is at the heart of physical literacy and provides the foundation for knowing what to do and how and when to perform. In this paper I argue that physical literacy includes not only knowledge for performance but also the ability to apply knowledge and use knowledge for innovation. Sc…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of landing on a combined inversion and plantarflexion surface on the ankle kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activities of medial gastrocnemius (MG), peroneus longus (PL), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Methods: Twelve recreational athletes performed five drop landings from an overhead bar of 30 cm height on to three surfa…
Objectives: Heart rate variability (HRV) can be a simple, non-invasive method of gauging cardiac autonomic nervous system fluctuations across periodised training workloads and taper in elite athlete populations. The purpose of these three case studies was to examine daily cardiac autonomic variations in Paralympic athletes leading in to the Paralympic games. Methods: Three Paralympic gold medal…
Brain injuries in sports drew more and more public attentions in recent years. Brain injuries vary by name, type, and severity in the athletic setting. It should be noted, however, that these injuries are not isolated to only the athletic arena, as non-athletic mechanisms (e.g., motor vehicle accidents) are more common causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among teenagers. Notwithstanding, a…