Brian C. Focht

Influence of resistance exercise of different intensities on state anxiety and blood pressure.

PURPOSE The purpose of this investigation was to examine selected psychobiological responses to acute bouts of resistance exercise (RE) of different intensities. METHODS Eighty-four participants were classified as experienced or inexperienced and then randomly assigned to three conditions: 1) 50% of one repetition maximum(1RM), 2) 80% 1RM, or 3) control condition. RE consisted of performing three sets of four exercises between 12 to 20 reps in the 50% 1RM condition and four to eight reps in the 80% 1RM condition. Dependent variables consisted of state anxiety (SA), mood states (POMS), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and heart rate (HR). These variables were assessed before as well as 1, 20, 60, 120, and 180-min following the conditions. Data were analyzed with a 2 (experience) x 3 (conditions) x 6 (trials) mixed model ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. RESULTS Results indicated that SA decreased significantly (P < 0.05) 180 min following the 50% 1RM condition. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in vigor occurred immediately following the 50% IRM condition and persisted for 20 min. SBP increased significantly (P < 0.05) immediately following the 80% 1RM condition. HR increased significantly (P < 0.05) following both RE conditions. No significant differences were found between the experienced or inexperienced participants. CONCLUSIONS An acute bout of RE at 50% 1RM is associated with an immediate reduction in vigor followed by a significant decrease in SA that emerged 180 min following exercise.

Brief Walks in Outdoor and Laboratory Environments: Effects on Affective Responses, Enjoyment, and Intentions to Walk for Exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of brief walks completed in outdoor and laboratory environments on affective responses, enjoyment, and intention to walk for exercise. Thirty-five active young women (M age = 22.14 years, SD = 1.73) walked for 10 min at a self-selected intensity in outdoor and laboratory environments. Affective responses were assessed before, during, and following each brief walk. Enjoyment and intention also were assessed following each walk. Results revealed that although both walks resulted in improvements in affective responses, participants reported greater pleasant affective states, enjoyment, and intention for future participation with outdoor walking. Results of correlation analyses also revealed that affective responses were only consistently related to enjoyment in the outdoor environment. These findings suggest that the environment influences the affective responses to brief walks and show that affective states experienced during walking are related to theoretical determinants of physical activity.

Alterations in pain perception after resistance exercise performed in the morning and evening.

Focht, BC and Koltyn, KF. Alterations in pain perception after resistance exercise performed in the morning and evening. J Strength Cond Res 23(3): 891-897, 2009-The purpose of the present study was to examine whether changes in experimentally induced pain perception after acute resistance exercise (RE) are influenced by the time of day that RE is performed. Twenty-one recreationally trained (>1 year of regular recreational RE participation) young men (mean age = 21 years) completed 2 acute RE sessions at different times of day. One RE session was performed between 6:00 and 8:00 in the morning, and the other was performed between 6:00 and 8:00 in the evening. The RE sessions consisted of completing 3 sets of 10 repetitions for 4 different exercises at 75% of each individuals 1-repetition maximum. Assessments of pain threshold and pain ratings were obtained during exposure to an experimentally induced pressure pain stimulus before and after (1 and 15 minutes) each bout of RE. The results revealed that, irrespective of the time of day RE was performed, pain threshold increased significantly (p < 0.01) at 1 minute after exercise. Pain ratings were also found to be significantly (p < 0.01) lower at 1 minute after RE in both the morning and evening. It is concluded that acute RE results in alterations in the perception of experimentally induced pressure pain and that this hypoalgesic response is not influenced by the time of day that RE is performed.

Weight status and differences in mobility performance, pain symptoms, and physical activity in older, knee osteoarthritis patients.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of functional disability among American adults. Obesity is a strong independent risk factor for OA. While research emphasizes the role of obesity in the OA-physical function relationship, the extent to which weight status impacts salient physical, health, and pain measures in older, knee OA patients is not well delineated. The primary aim of this study was to assess differences in mobility performance (stair climb and 400-meter walk), mobility-related self-efficacy, pain symptoms (WOMAC), and measures of accelerometer-determined physical activity (PA) as a function of weight status. Analysis of covariance was conducted to examine differences on the dependent variables. Obese class III patients were outperformed by their counterparts on nearly every measure of mobility, mobility-related self-efficacy, and the assessment of pain symptoms. These outcomes did not differ among other weight comparisons. Normal weight subjects outperformed classes I, II, and III counterparts on most measures of PA (engagement in moderate or greater PA and total weekly steps). Additionally, overweight participants outperformed obese class II participants and obese class I participants outperformed obese classes II and III participants on total weekly steps. Collectively, these findings underscore the meaningful differences observed in relevant OA outcomes as a function of increasing levels of body weight.

The Impact of a Student-Led Pedometer Intervention Incorporating Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies on Step Count and Self-Efficacy

Abstract This study evaluated the effectiveness of a student-led physical activity intervention that incorporated pedometers and cognitive-behavioral strategies. Undergraduate students (N = 117) enrolled in upper division exercise and sport science courses recruited participants. Participants in the cognitive-behavioral intervention condition received weekly mentoring from students on strategies to foster self-regulation, whereas those in a minimal intervention control condition (i.e., pedometer and self-monitoring) did not. All volunteers wore a pedometer for 6 weeks, maintained a step-count log, and completed physical activity and barrier self-efficacy measures pre- and postintervention. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that intervention condition participants increased their steps more so than those in the control condition, F(5, 570) = 10.1, p < .0001, starting at Week 3, with effect sizes in the moderate range. Intervention condition participants also reported increased physical activity self-efficacy, whereas those in the control condition did not, F(1, 77) = 5.6, p < .03, Cohen d = .47. There were no significant changes in barrier self-efficacy for either group. Overall, these findings suggest a student-led cognitive-behavioral pedometer intervention results in more favorable changes in step counts and physical activity self-efficacy than simply wearing a pedometer and self-monitoring step counts.

Group-mediated Physical Activity Promotion and Mobility in Sedentary Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Results from the IMPACT-Pilot Trial

Objective. To compare the effects of a group-mediated cognitive behavioral exercise intervention (GMCB) with traditional center-based exercise therapy (TRAD) on objectively assessed levels of physical activity (PA) and mobility in sedentary patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. The Improving Maintenance of Physical Activity in Knee Osteoarthritis Trial-Pilot (IMPACT-P) was a 12-month, 2-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study designed to compare the effects of GMCB and TRAD on 80 sedentary patients with knee OA with self-reported difficulty in daily activities [mean age 63.5 yrs, 84% women, mean body mass index (BMI) 32.7 kg/m2]. Objective assessments of PA (LIFECORDER Plus Accelerometer) and mobility (400-m walk) were obtained at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months by study personnel blinded to participants’ treatment assignment. Results. Intent to treat 2 (treatment: GMCB and TRAD) × 2 (time: 3 mos and 12 mos) analyses of covariance of controlling for baseline, age, sex, and BMI-adjusted change in the outcomes demonstrated that the GMCB intervention yielded significantly greater increases in PA (p < 0.01) and a nonsignificant yet more favorable improvement in mobility (p = 0.09) relative to TRAD. Partial correlation analyses also revealed that change in PA was significantly correlated with the 400-m walk performance at 3-month (r = −0.51, p < 0.01) and 12-month (r = −0.40, p < 0.01) followup assessments. Conclusion. Findings from the IMPACT-P trial suggest that the GMCB treatment resulted in significantly greater improvement in PA and nonsignificant yet more favorable change in mobility relative to TRAD.

Resistance training interventions across the cancer control continuum: a systematic review of the implementation of resistance training principles

Objectives The primary purpose of this systematic review is to examine the extant resistance training (RT) cancer research to evaluate the proportion of RT interventions that: (1) implemented key RT training principles (specificity, progression, overload) and (2) explicitly reported relevant RT prescription components (frequency, intensity, sets, reps). Design A qualitative systematic review was performed by two reviewers (CMF and PNH) who inspected the titles and abstracts to determine eligibility for this systematic review. Identified papers were obtained in full and further reviewed. Data were extracted to evaluate the application of principles of training, along with specific RT components. Data sources Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, PsychInfo, Cancer Lit, Sport Discus, AMED, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and reference lists of included articles from inception to May 2016. Results 37 studies were included. The principle of specificity was used appropriately in all of the studies, progression in 65% and overload in 76% of the studies. The most common exercise prescription (∼50%) implemented in the studies included in this review were 2–3 days/week, focusing on large muscle groups, 60–70% 1 repetition maximum (RM), 1–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions. Conclusions Reporting of RT principles in an oncology setting varies greatly, with often vague or non-existent references to the principles of training and how the RT prescription was designed.

The Individualized Diet and Exercise Adherence Pilot Trial (IDEA-P) in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAndrogen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the foundation of treatment for men with metastatic prostate cancer and is now frequently incorporated into multimodality strategies for the curative treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer. Nevertheless, the catabolic effects of ADT result in meaningful adverse effects on physiological and quality of life outcomes, which may, in turn, increase the risk of functional decline, frailty, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Recent evidence demonstrates that lifestyle intervention promoting change in exercise and dietary behaviors is a promising approach, and may offset, or even reverse, the adverse effects accompanying ADT. Unfortunately, the limited existing studies of the effects of exercise and dietary interventions targeting patients with prostate cancer on ADT are characterized by high attrition rates and poor postintervention maintenance of treatment effects. Consequently, the Individualized Diet and Exercise Adherence Pilot Trial (IDEA-P) is designed to contrast the effects of a lifestyle intervention designed to promote independent self-management of exercise and dietary behavior with those of standard care disease management approach in the treatment of prostate cancer.Methods/DesignA total of 40 patients with prostate cancer undergoing ADT will be randomly assigned to lifestyle intervention or standard care. Outcomes of interest in IDEA-P include changes in self-reported and objectively assessed physical function and physical activity, dietary behavior, body composition, muscular strength, and quality of life. Outcomes will be obtained at baseline, 2-month, and 3-month assessments by trial personnel blinded to participants’ randomization assignment.DiscussionFindings from this study will establish the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an innovative lifestyle intervention designed to promote progressively independent self-regulated exercise and dietary behavior change in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer undergoing ADT.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02050906.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Translating the Diabetes Prevention Program to a University Worksite, Ohio, 2012–2014

Introduction Working adults spend much time at the workplace, an ideal setting for wellness programs targeting weight loss and disease prevention. Few randomized trials have evaluated the efficacy of worksite diabetes prevention programs.This study evaluated the efficacy of a worksite lifestyle intervention on metabolic and behavioral risk factors compared with usual care. Methods A pretest–posttest control group design with 3-month follow-up was used. Participants with prediabetes were recruited from a university worksite and randomized to receive a 16-week lifestyle intervention (n = 35) or usual care (n = 34). Participants were evaluated at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up. Dietary intake was measured by a food frequency questionnaire and level of physical activity by accelerometers. Repeated measures analysis of variance compared the change in outcomes between and within groups. Results Mean (standard error [SE]) weight loss was greater in the intervention (−5.5% [0.6%]) than in the control (−0.4% [0.5%]) group (P < .001) postintervention and was sustained at 3-month follow-up (P < .001). Mean (SE) reductions in fasting glucose were greater in the intervention (−8.6 [1.6] mg/dL) than in the control (−3.7 [1.6] mg/dL) group (P = .02) postintervention; both groups had significant glucose reductions at 3-month follow-up (P < .001). In the intervention group, the intake of total energy and the percentage of energy from all fats, saturated fats, and trans fats decreased, and the intake of dietary fiber increased (all P < .01) postintervention. Conclusion The worksite intervention improved metabolic and behavioral risk factors among employees with prediabetes. The long-term impact on diabetes prevention and program sustainability warrant further investigation.

Affective Responses to Acute Resistance Exercise Performed at Self-Selected and Imposed Loads in Trained Women.

Abstract Focht, BC, Garver, MJ, Cotter, JA, Devor, ST, Lucas, AR, and Fairman, CM. Affective responses to acute resistance exercise performed at self-selected and imposed loads in trained women. J Strength Cond Res 29(11): 3067–3074, 2015—The purpose of this study was to examine the affective responses to acute resistance exercise (RE) performed at self-selected (SS) and imposed loads in recreationally trained women. Secondary purposes were to (a) examine differences in correlates of motivation for future participation in RE and (b) determine whether affective responses to RE were related to these select motivational correlates of RE participation. Twenty recreationally trained young women (mean age = 23 years) completed 3 RE sessions involving 3 sets of 10 repetitions using loads of 40% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM), 70% 1RM, and an SS load. Affective responses were assessed before, during, and after each RE session using the Feeling Scale. Self-efficacy and intention for using the imposed and SS loads for their regular RE participation during the next month were also assessed postexercise. Results revealed that although the SS and imposed load RE sessions yielded different trajectories of change in affect during exercise (p < 0.01), comparable improvements in affect emerged after RE. Additionally, the SS condition was associated with the highest ratings of self-efficacy and intention for future RE participation (p < 0.01), but affective responses to acute RE were unrelated to self-efficacy or intention. It is concluded that acute bouts of SS and imposed load RE resulted in comparable improvements in affect; recreationally trained women reported the highest self-efficacy and intention to use the load chosen in SS condition in their own resistance training; and affective responses were unrelated to motivational correlates of resistance training.