Judith A. Flohr

Explaining Long-Term Exercise Adherence in Women Who Complete a Structured Exercise Program

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine factors related to physical activity adherence to understand why women continue to participate in long-term exercise after completing a structured exercise program. Data were collected from focus groups, interviews, and e-mails, and analysis used grounded theory. The central category related to physical activity adherence was self-worth. Motivation, activity enjoyment, priorities, body image, ability to access support, and self-regulation skills had an impact on the self-worth of nonadherers and adherers. Women must value themselves enough to continue to participate in physical activity once they start. Exercise and fitness professionals are encouraged to use strategies to increase self-worth and long-term adherence to physical activity. Some recommended strategies include (a) increasing motivation and enjoyment relative to activity, (b) making activity a high priority in a womans life, (c) improving or deemphasizing body image, (d) increasing a womans ability to access support, and (e) facilitating the use of self-regulation strategies. This study is the first to examine qualitative perspectives of exercise adherence among women who completed a structured exercise program. Several concepts related to adherence presented in the quantitative literature are confirmed and enhanced in this study.

Factors related to physical activity adherence in women: review and suggestions for future research.

ABSTRACT Approximately 50 percent of individuals who start an exercise program withdraw within 6 months. Thus, many individuals withdraw before health benefits have been realized. This is a disconcerting statistic considering the well known benefits of physical activity for decreasing risk of hypokinetic diseases and improving quality of life. The literature has suggested a plethora of factors to increase the number of individuals who initiate a physical activity program. However, little is known about the factors that keep women exercising–otherwise known as exercise adherence. The purpose of this paper is to: (a) systematically review the quantitative literature to discern the major factors contributing to adherence to physical activity in women and men and make recommendations for specific gender-based considerations that are important when designing PA interventions for women, and (b) suggest areas of future research related to increasing adherence to physical activity in women. Key factors reviewed in this paper may be useful in developing efficacious physical activity programs for women.

Pedometer-Assessed Physical Activity in Young Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical activity (PA) patterns of children. Forty-four 7th-grade students (19 boys, 25 girls) recorded pedometer data for 2 consecutive weeks. Separate 2 × 3 repeated measures analyses of variance were used to examine differences in total steps/day between boys and girls and between after-school activity participants and nonparticipants. The relative contribution of physical education (PE) and after-school activity (ASA) to weekday steps/day was evaluated as a proportion, for example (steps taken in PE class/total daily steps taken on a PE class day)*100. The total sample mean was 11,392 steps/day, SD = 4,112; for boys, M = 12,490 steps/day, SD = 3,910, versus girls, M = 10,557 steps/day, SD = 4,142; F = (1, 42) 4.365, p = .043. The sample population averaged 2,046 steps, SD = 945, during PE class; boys = 2,379 steps, SD = 1,115, versus girls = 1,782, SD =703; t (42) = 2.15, p = .038, d = .65, which represented 18% of the total steps/day on PE days. In comparison, the participants accumulated an average of 5,366 steps, SD = 2,590; ASA for boys = 5,897 steps/day, SD = 2,738, versus girls = 4,963 steps/day, SD = 2,450; t (42) = 1.190, p = .241, d = .36), representing 46% of the steps/day on all weekdays and 47% of the total on PE days. Expressed as a rate, the sample population took 45.5 steps/min (SD = 21) during PE class and 13.1 steps/min (SD = 4.7) in ASA on all weekdays. The relative stability of day-to-day behavior in youth is a preliminary finding but noteworthy. Although the absolute contribution of PE class to daily PA was less than ASA (i.e., 18 vs. 47%, respectively), the importance of the condensed contribution in class was evident when these two activities were expressed as rates (i.e., steps/min). These data indicate that youth involved in ASA accumulated a greater number of steps on all days, weekend days, and health education days when compared to youth not involved in ASA.

Potential benefits of physical activity for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common form of paediatric leukaemia. The survival rate in children with ALL has improved significantly over the past several years, which makes quality of life an important focus for researchers. Some of the side effects of treatment (i.e. osteoporosis and obesity) are not realized until years after conclusion of therapy. Few studies have addressed the impact of physical activity (PA) on the side effects that occur during treatment of children with ALL. This paper discusses the increased risk for both osteoporosis and obesity due to treatment for ALL and suggests ways that PA may attenuate bone loss and risk of obesity by discussing what is known about effects of PA in healthy children and children with other chronic diseases. Recommendations will be made for PA interventions and future research in children with ALL.

Effect of a family-based intervention on electronic media use and body composition among boys aged 8—11 years: a pilot study:

This study measured the effect of a 20-week, family-centered electronic media intervention on electronic media use, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; DXA), physical activity and dietary behaviors in boys. Twenty-two boys were assigned and 21 were analyzed in an experimental or control group. Boys in the experimental group set electronic media use goals and used TV Allowance™ device and ENUFF® software to reduce electronic media use. Data were collected at baseline, 10 weeks and 20 weeks. Interactions were found in daily electronic media use and DXA. At 10 weeks, step counts increased by 543 steps per day in the experimental group and decreased by 340 steps per day in the controls. Steps in both groups were higher at 20 weeks. Meals or snacks eaten while using electronic media decreased in the experimental group only. In conclusion, a family-centered electronic media intervention may reduce electronic media use and contribute to desirable changes in body composition.

Women Bound To Be Active: A Pilot Study to Explore the Feasibility of an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity and Self-Worth in Women

ABSTRACT Increasing physical activity (PA) has become a national health objective due to its associated health benefits, but low participation rates. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of an 8-month (September 2006–April 2007) PA book club (Women Bound to Be Active-WBA) in increasing PA and self-worth (SW) among women. Fifty-six adult women participated in an 8-month intervention consisting of weekly meetings designed to improve PA knowledge, awareness, confidence, and SW. Results indicated a significant increase in PA and SW. The WBA program represents a creative theory-based approach to empowering women to be more active.

Comparison of Responses to Exercise When Consuming Carbohydrate and Carbohydrate/Protein Beverages: 1996

RESULTS: Oxygen uptake did not differ among CHO+P, CHO1 and CHO2 trials, respectively (41.0±8.1, 42.0±7.7, 42.3±6.8 mL-kgmm). Blood lactate was significantly lower (p<.05) in the CHO+P trial (2.9±1.1 mmol L) versus CHO1 (3.6±1.2) and CHO2 (3.6±1.4). Heart rate was also lower in the CHO+P trial (153.3±9.3 bpm) compared to CHO1 (159.0±8.5) and CHO2 (158.1±12.4). RPE in the CHO+P trial (12.9± 1.1) was significantly lower than CHO1 (13.7±1.1), but did not significantly differ from CHO2 (13.2±2.0). Plasma glucose concentrations did not differ between trials (67.7±20.1, 72.5±22.3, 74.2±11.7 mg-dL)