John M. Coons

Impact of EPOC adjustment on estimation of energy expenditure using activity monitors

Abstract Purpose: To examine the accuracy of activity monitors in estimating energy expenditure (EE) during activities of varying mode and intensity and to evaluate the impact of including energy expended during recovery from activity (EPOC) on the EE estimate. EE estimates obtained from the Fitbit Surge (FBS), Garmin Vívofit (GV) and SenseWear Armband Mini (SWA) were compared to criterion EE with and without EPOC adjustments during moderate- and vigorous-intensity treadmill and cycling activities. Methods: Participants (N = 34; 23 males) completed counterbalanced treadmill or cycling conditions, comprised of a resting metabolic rate measurement, 10-min bouts of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity and an EPOC measurement. Participants simultaneously wore the three activity monitors and a portable metabolic analyser. Results: The FBS provided lowest percent error (PE) during treadmill walking (4.4%) and the GV during moderate (6.4%) and vigorous (−0.1%) cycling bouts. EPOC-adjusted PE was higher than non-EPOC PE across all monitors and activities. Mean absolute error rate (MAPE), indicating overall measurement error, was the smallest for the FBS (14.1%) during moderate treadmill walking and the largest for the SWA (53.5%) for vigorous intensity cycling. Only the FBS had comparable non-EPOC (14.6%) and EPOC-adjusted (17.6%) MAPE during treadmill walking. Conclusion: The activity monitors tended to underestimate EE during moderate and vigorous treadmill and cycling activities. The EE estimates from the activity monitors did not account for the energy cost met by anaerobic means during activity, as suggested by the higher EPOC-adjusted EE error rates.

Impact of Underwater Treadmill Training on Glycemic Control, Blood Lipids, and Health-Related Fitness in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

IN BRIEF A large number of adults with type 2 diabetes experience comorbidities that discourage physical activity and hinder regular participation in land-based exercise programs. An aquatic exercise program is an innovative exercise modality that incorporates combined aerobic and resistance exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if an underwater treadmill walking program featuring gradual and progressive increases in walking speed and duration has a positive effect on glycemic control, metabolic health, cardiovascular function, body composition, and leg strength in middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes.

Comparison of Running Economy Values While Wearing No Shoes, Minimal Shoes, and Normal Running Shoes

Abstract Cochrum, RG, Connors, RT, Coons, JM, Fuller, DK, Morgan, DW, and Caputo, JL. Comparison of running economy values while wearing no shoes, minimal shoes, and normal running shoes. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 595–601, 2017—The purpose of this study was to quantify differences in running economy (RE) at 50 and 70% of each subjects velocity at V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (vV[Combining Dot Above]O2max) across barefoot and 2 mass, stack height, and heel-to-toe-drop controlled footwear conditions (minimal shoes and normal running shoes) in 9 recreational distance runners (mean age 26.8 ± 6.8 years). Over 3 days, subjects ran in one of the footwear conditions while RE (oxygen consumption) and step frequency were measured at each speed with a 5-minute rest between each trial. A 2-way repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance (p ⩽ 0.05) and Bonferroni-adjusted follow-up analyses revealed that RE was not significantly different across footwear conditions at either speed. However, those running barefoot exhibited a higher step frequency than when running in minimal (50%, p = 0.007; and 70%, p < 0.001) and standard footwear conditions (70% only, p < 0.001). Higher step frequencies were also exhibited by those running in minimal versus standard footwear (70% only, p = 0.007). Thus, RE is not affected by footwear or running barefoot in those with experience running in minimal-type footwear. Significant adjustments in step frequency when alternative footwear was introduced may help explain why RE was statistically maintained during each footwear and speed condition across but not between subjects. Therefore, determination of footwear for the enhancement of RE should be based on individual physical characteristics and preferences rather than a global recommendation of an economical running shoe.

Live vs. digital video disk exercise in college--aged females.

Abstract Killen, LG, Barry, VW, Cooper, C, and Coons, JM. Live vs. digital video disk exercise in college-aged females. J Strength Cond Res 28(12): 3393–3398, 2014—Although exercise digital video disk (DVD) sales have substantially increased over the past decade, little is known on the effectiveness of personal training vs. DVD exercises. The purpose of this study was to compare energy expenditures and heart rates of live and DVD vigorously intense exercise sessions. Twenty active and low-to-moderate fit, college-aged females completed 2 identical exercise sessions. Each exercise session consisted of 6 exercises; 1 session was completed with a personal trainer and the other with a DVD. A portable metabolic analyzer was used to measure oxygen consumption and record heart rate. Both energy expenditure (p < 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.001) were significantly higher during the live exercise session as compared with the DVD exercise session. Rate of perceived exertion was significantly higher for the live exercise session compared with the DVD exercise session (p = 0.045). Finally, the majority (89%) of the participants reported that they preferred the live exercise session over the DVD exercise session. The results suggest that low-to-moderately fit college-aged females not only prefer exercise sessions with a personal trainer but will also demonstrate higher energy expenditures and heart rates.