G. Sanders

The relationship between cell phone use, physical and sedentary activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness in a sample of U.S. college students

BackgroundToday’s cell phones increase opportunities for activities traditionally defined as sedentary behaviors (e.g., surfing the internet, playing video games). People who participate in large amounts of sedentary behaviors, relative to those who do not, tend to be less physically active, less physically fit, and at greater risk for health problems. However, cell phone use does not have to be a sedentary behavior as these devices are portable. It can occur while standing or during mild-to-moderate intensity physical activity. Thus, the relationship between cell phone use, physical and sedentary activity, and physical fitness is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate these relationships among a sample of healthy college students.MethodsParticipants were first interviewed about their physical activity behavior and cell phone use. Then body composition was assessed and the validated self-efficacy survey for exercise behaviors completed. This was followed by a progressive exercise test on a treadmill to exhaustion. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) during exercise was used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness. Hierarchical regression was used to assess the relationship between cell phone use and cardiorespiratory fitness after controlling for sex, self-efficacy, and percent body fat. Interview data was transcribed, coded, and Chi-square analysis was used to compare the responses of low and high frequency cell phone users.ResultsCell phone use was significantly (pu2009=u20090.047) and negatively (βu2009=u2009−0.25) related to cardio respiratory fitness independent of sex, self-efficacy, and percent fat which were also significant predictors (pu2009<u20090.05). Interview data offered several possible explanations for this relationship. First, high frequency users were more likely than low frequency users to report forgoing opportunities for physical activity in order to use their cell phones for sedentary behaviors. Second, low frequency users were more likely to report being connected to active peer groups through their cell phones and to cite this as a motivation for physical activity. Third, high levels of cell phone use indicated a broader pattern of sedentary behaviors apart from cell phone use, such as watching television.ConclusionCell phone use, like traditional sedentary behaviors, may disrupt physical activity and reduce cardiorespiratory fitness.

The effect of three different energy drinks on oxygen consumption and perceived exertion during treadmill exercise

Methods Fifteen (22.1 ± 2.7 years old) participants completed the study. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was initially measured to establish each participant’s exercise for the 70% treadmill exercise protocol after ingesting an energy drink. Following VO2 max testing, all participants completed a total of four conditions. Each condition required a participant to ingest an energy drink then rest in a seated position for one hour. Following one hour of rest, participants exercised for a total of 15 minutes on a treadmill at 70% of their VO2 max. For each condition, participants blindly ingested one of four price-matched beverages (12 oz. placebo (Squirt), 8.4 oz. Red Bull, 16 oz. Monster Energy , 2 oz. 5-hour ENERGY). Relative VO2 (ml.kg min) and RPE (6-20 Borg Scale) were recorded each minute during the treadmill exercise and averaged in five-minute increments and as an average for each 15-minute condition.

Introducing a multifaceted exercise intervention particular to older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary study

Background and aimWith a substantial increase in diagnosed Parkinson’s disease, it is of great importance to examine tolerance and physical measures of evolving exercise interventions. Of particular importance, a multifaceted exercise intervention combining active-assisted cycling and resistance training to older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is being assessed.MethodsFourteen older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and ten healthy older adults (67.5xa0±xa07.9xa0years of age) engaged in an 8-week, 24-session, multifaceted exercise protocol. The protocol consisted of both active-assisted cycling and resistance training. Tolerance was measured, as well as multiple indicators of health-related physical fitness. These indicators examined improvements in cardiovascular performance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.ResultsTwenty-two older adults and older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease tolerated the intervention by completing all 24 sessions. Repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated significant (Pxa0≤xa00.003) improvements in cardiovascular performance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility for both groups of individuals.Discussion and conclusionThe multifaceted intervention is the first to combine both active-assisted cycling and resistance training. The older adult and the older adult diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease exhibited both tolerance and health-related improvements in physical fitness following the intervention.

Pilot physiology, cognition and flight performance during flight simulation exposed to a 3810-m hypoxic condition

Background. Hypoxia is a physiological state defined as a reduction in the distribution of oxygen to the tissues of the body. It has been considered a major factor in aviation safety worldwide because of its potential for pilot disorientation. Pilots are able to operate aircrafts up to 3810u2009m without the use of supplemental oxygen and may exhibit symptoms associated with hypoxia. Objective. To determine the effects of 3810u2009m on physiology, cognition and performance in pilots during a flight simulation. Methods. Ten healthy male pilots engaged in a counterbalanced experimental protocol comparing a 0-m normoxic condition (NORM) with a 3810-m hypoxic condition (HYP) on pilot physiology, cognition and flight performance. Results. Repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated a significant (pu2009≤u20090.05) time by condition interaction for physiological and cognitive alterations during HYP. A paired-samples t test demonstrated no differences in pilot performance (pu2009≥u20090.05) between conditions. Conclusion. Pilots exhibited physiological and cognitive impairments; however, pilot performance was not affected by HYP.