James R. Morrow

The Association of Health-Related Fitness with Indicators of Academic Performance in Texas Schools

This study examined the associations between indicators of health-related physical fitness (cardiovascular fitness and body mass index) and academic performance (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills). Partial correlations were generally stronger for cardiovascular fitness than body mass index and consistently stronger in the middle school grades. Mixed-model regression analyses revealed modest associations between fitness and academic achievement after controlling for potentially confounding variables. The effects of fitness on academic achievement were positive but small. A separate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher fitness rates increased the odds of schools achieving exemplary/recognized school status within the state. School fitness attainment is an indicator of higher performing schools. Direction of causality cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional nature of the data.

American Adults' Knowledge of Exercise Recommendations

Abstract Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Approximately 950,000 Americans die annually from cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether American adults know which traditional and lifestyle physical activities affect health and how they should be physically active to achieve a health benefit. Secondary purposes were to determine whether this knowledge is a function of gender, ethnicity, education, or age and if those who are sufficiently active for a health benefit possess different knowledge levels than those not sufficiently active for a health benefit. Items based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American College of Sports Medicine principles included knowledge of exercise guidelines and traditional and lifestyle physical activities. This information was obtained from 20 questions that were part of a national random telephone survey of 2,002 American households in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Respondents were most aware of traditional physical activities (M = 94%) that provide a health benefit and less aware of specific exercise guidelines (M = 68%) and lifestyle physical activities (M = 71%) that can result in a health benefit. Knowledge was not related to physical activity behavior sufficient for a health benefit and only slightly related to ethnicity, education, and age. These data suggest that physical activity knowledge alone is not sufficient to elicit a behavior; however, it provides educators with an understanding of the publics physical activity knowledge that could be helpful in developing health promotion and physical activity interventions.

Reliability and Validity of the FITNESSGRAM®: Quality of Teacher-Collected Health-Related Fitness Surveillance Data

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality (reliability and validity) of large-scale fitness testing in Texas and determine if reliabilities and validities were related to potential confounding variables. Four test administration scenarios were conducted to investigate the quality of data collected statewide as part of the Texas Youth Evaluation Project. Teachers and/or expert test administrators tested individual students (N = 1,010) on two occasions. Criterion-referenced reliabilities were very good to generally acceptable for all FITNESSGRAM® test items, with musculoskeletal items having the lowest reliabilities. The validity of teacheradministered tests was good. Reliability and validity of teacher-obtained health-related fitness measures were generally unrelated to potentially confounding student or school characteristics. Administrators, teachers, parents, and students can feel comfortable with the reliability and validity of the statewide health-related fitness testing in Texas.

Construct Validity Evidence for Single-Response Items to Estimate Physical Activity Levels in Large Sample Studies

Valid measurement of physical activity is important for studying the risks for morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine evidence of construct validity of two similar single-response items assessing physical activity via self-report. Both items are based on the stages of change model. The sample was 687 participants (men = 504, women = 183) who completed an 8-response (PA8) or 5-response (PA5) single-response item about current level of physical activity. Responses were categorized as meeting or not meeting guidelines for sufficient physical activity to achieve a health benefit. Maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health markers were obtained during a clinical examination. Partial correlation, multivariate analysis of covariance, and logistic regression were used to identify the relations between self-reported physical activity, CRF, and health markers when controlling for gender and age. Single-response items were compared to a detailed measure of physical activity. Single-response items correlated significantly with CRF determined with a maximal exercise test on a treadmill (PA8 = .53; PA5 = .57). Differences in percentage of body fat and cholesterol were in the desired direction, with those self-reporting sufficient physical activity for a health benefit having the lower values. The single-response items demonstrated evidence of construct validity and may provide feasible, cost-effective, and efficient methods to assess physical activity in large-scale studies.

Secular Change in Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Men: Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

UNLABELLED Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been shown to be an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, as well as health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. During the last four decades, national guidelines for physical activity and fitness have emerged in an ongoing effort to improve health outcomes through enhanced CRF risk profiles. PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to describe the secular trend in CRF as a function of decade and age in a large cohort of men during the past 40 yr. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of baseline fitness data collected during comprehensive medical examinations of 52,785 men age 20-74 yr evaluated at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX, from 1970 to 2009 who completed a maximum treadmill exercise test for estimation of aerobic capacity was conducted. Comparisons were made between mean fitness levels in each decade stratified by five age groups. RESULTS Mean CRF in MET from estimated V·O 2max has increased overall approximately 1 MET during a 40-yr period for each of the five age groups (P < 0.0001). The greatest change occurred during the 1970s to 1980s with minimal subsequent increase and a small decline commencing in the last decade especially in younger men. CONCLUSIONS In a large cohort of men, average CRF has improved during the last 40 yr with a slight decline in the favorable trend notable in the most recent decade.

The Association between Physical Activity Behavior and Commonly Reported Barriers in a Worksite Population

Physical activity is an essential part of healthy living. In general, persons with moderate to high levels of physical activityor cardiorespiratory fitness exhibit lower mortality and morbidity rates than those leading sedentary lifestyles or with low cardiorespiratory fitness (U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996). Physical inactivityis related to a number ofdiseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, colon cancer, and osteoporosis. Physical activity also relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression (Koltyn & Schultes, 1997). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend that every adult should minimally exercise at a moderate intensity level and accumulate 30 min of activity most, preferably all, days of the week (Pate et al., 1995). However, recent research suggests that approximately 20-30% ofadults are reportedly active at this level sufficient to receive a health benefit (CDC, 2001; Martin, Morrow,Jackson, & Dunn, 2000; Pate et al., 1995). A number offactors affect participation in physical activity. A physically active lifestyle may be determined

District and School Physical Education Policies: Implications for Physical Education and Recess Time

BackgroundThe relationship between physical education (PE) policies and children’s PE and recess time is not well understood.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the association of district and school PE policies, the PE environment, and PE and recess time.MethodsKey informants in 65 schools from 9 states completed instruments assessing district and school PE policies, the school PE environment, and time in PE and recess.ResultsFew significant associations were found between PE policies and PE or recess minutes; no policies were associated with both. A number of PE environmental variables were associated with both policies and time in PE and recess.ConclusionsPE policies, their implementation, and PE environmental variables can have important implications for recess time. Some school PE environment measures designed to improve PE may result in PE time limitations. Deficiencies in PE and recess time are not likely to be effectively addressed through policy adoption alone.

2004 C. H. McCloy Research Lecture: are American children and youth fit? It's time we learned.

There has been much interest in the physical fitness of American children and youth in the past century, but crucial questions remain unanswered. What is the current status of physical fitness in the school-age population? Do we know? What do the data suggest? How has fitness level been determined? Have fitness levels changed recently? What types of measures illustrate the change (if any) in fitness levels? These and other questions are relevant given the perceived decline in physical fitness levels (e.g., Getting Fit: Starting Early, 2005). It appears that we can answer these important questions, but to address issues about youth fitness levels necessitates a broad review of issues related to reported youth fitness levels. This review includes a brief history of physical fitness testing in the U.S. (including award structures), youth physical fitness levels, youth fitness and the media, and future challenges to youth physical fitness testing and assessment of national youth physical fitness levels.

Long-Term Tracking of Physical Activity Behaviors in Women: The WIN Study

PURPOSE Interest lies in the prevalence of community-living women meeting the 2008 Department of Health and Human Services physical activity guidelines across time. The purpose was to report prevalence and stability of long-term (up to 125 wk) tracking of physical activity behaviors and to compare self-reported physical activity behaviors using different measures. METHODS The WIN study tracks nearly real-time physical activity behaviors in community-living women. At baseline, 918 women began weekly Internet reporting of physical activity behaviors, accessing a secure Internet site and answering eight questions about physical activity behaviors for the previous week. Measures included days and minutes of moderate, vigorous, walking, and strengthening activities, and pedometer steps were recorded weekly. RESULTS Prevalence of meeting physical activity guidelines depended on the criterion used. Weekly averages across the surveillance period indicated 25% reported ≥150 min of moderate physical activity, 47% reported ≥75 min of vigorous physical activity, 57% reported ≥150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, 63% conducted ≥500 MET·min of physical activity, 15% reported ≥2 d of strengthening activities per week, and 39% reported ≥7500 steps per week. Alpha coefficients (≥0.97) indicated stable physical activity behaviors across all measures. CONCLUSIONS Across reporting methods, it is estimated that approximately 50% or more of these community-living women engage in sufficient physical activity for health benefits weekly across long-term follow-up. Self-report physical activity behaviors are stable across long periods in these community-living women not participating in a specific physical activity intervention.

Overview of the Texas Youth Fitness Study.

This paper summarizes the historical and legislative backgrounds leading to statewide testing of health-related physical fitness in Texas children grades 3-12 as mandated by Texas Senate Bill 530. The rationale and goals for an associated research project (the Texas Youth Fitness Study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) to evaluate data collected from the statewide initiative are provided. The study investigated the relations between health-related physical fitness and educational variables, including academic achievement, absenteeism, and negative school incidents. It also provides unique insights into the quality (both reliability and validity) of collected data and implications of large-scale school-based physical fitness testing. Teacher commentary and experiences add to the description of the data collection processes. Last, the relations between psychosocial variables and health-related fitness in middle school students are described.