M. Allison Ford

Evaluation of a social cognitive theory-based email intervention designed to influence the physical activity of survivors of breast cancer.

The aim of this study is to evaluate a 12‐week social cognitive theory (SCT)‐based email intervention designed to influence the physical activity of survivors of breast cancer.

Motivational Signage Increases Physical Activity on a College Campus

Objective: The authors evaluated whether motivational signage influenced rates of stair use relative to elevator use on a college campus. Participants: In March and April 2004, the authors observed students, faculty, staff, and any visitors accessing a college campus building. Methods: During Phase I, the authors monitored ascending stair and elevator use at the same time each weekday (Monday-Friday). During Phase II, the authors placed motivational signs encouraging stair use at the bottom of the stairs and outside and inside the elevators. During the third week (Phase III), the authors removed the signs. Results: The authors observed 18,389 ascending trips during the 3 weeks of the study. Motivational signs significantly contributed to an 18.6% increase in stair use in the second week, which was maintained in the following week. Conclusions: The signage intervention successfully enhanced physical activity on a college campus by providing educational health tips that may have served as motivation to choose the stairs.

Osteoporosis Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Beliefs among College Students in the USA and China

This study investigated differences in osteoporosis knowledge, self-efficacy, and health beliefs among Chinese and American college students. Information obtained will be used in developing osteoporosis prevention programs for younger adults. Methods. Chinese (n = 409) and US (n = 408) college students completed the Osteoporosis Health Belief, Self-Efficacy, and Knowledge Tests. Results. Differences were seen in osteoporosis knowledge (M us = 14.52, M Chinese = 11.82), exercise knowledge (M us = 8.16, M Chinese = 9.04), calcium knowledge (M us = 8.47, M Chinese = 9.73), perceptions of exercise benefits (M us = 24.07, M Chinese = 21.09), calcium benefits (M us = 23.17, M Chinese = 18.36), exercise barriers (M us = 11.75, M Chinese = 14.96), calcium barriers (M us = 13.04, M Chinese = 15), and exercise self-efficacy (M us = 73.71, M Chinese = 63.81). Conclusion. US college students know more about osteoporosis and its risk factors; however, there are similarities in perception of risk between US and Chinese students. Chinese students perceive greater barriers to reducing their risk through exercise and dietary calcium intake.

Variables for the prediction of femoral bone mineral status in American women.

Introduction: A reliable procedure for identifying persons at risk for osteoporosis and subsequent fracture is needed so that preventive measures may be initiated. Material and Methods: Participants included 7,532 women, ages 20 and older, surveyed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES, 1988–1994). Influences of race, body composition, exercise, alcohol intake, smoking status, as well as the effect of nutritional intake of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, sodium, and potassium on bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed. Results: Advancing age, low body weight, low exercise expenditure, and smoking were significant predictors for low BMD. Nutritional variables examined were not significant in the predictive models. Conclusions: The absence of calcium from the predictive models indicates the need for re-evaluation of the current recommended intake levels of this nutrient. A greater emphasis on factors such as exercise and achieving adequate weight is recommended. Discussion: Providing women with the knowledge of their risk for low BMD may influence lifestyle behaviors, which may ultimately result in the prevention of bone injury.

Past and Recent Physical Activity and Bone Mineral Density in College-Aged Women

&NA; Ford, M.A., M.A. Bass, L.W. Turner, A. Mauromoustakos, and B.S. Graves. Past and recent physical activity and bone mineral density in college‐aged women. J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(3):405–409. 2004.—Low bone mineral density (BMD) has been determined as an independent factor of osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to assess physical activitys effect on BMD in college‐aged women. Bone density measurements were obtained. A survey was administered to assess past and recent physical activity levels. Logistic regression revealed high school sports participation and lean tissue were significant predictors of femoral BMD, whereas present physical activity and lean tissue were significant predictors of spinal BMD. Women in the present study who did not participate in high school sports were 7 times more likely to have low BMD than were those who participated. This study revealed a protective effect of past and present physical activity on BMD in college‐aged women. Children and young adults should be encouraged to participate in physical activity because it helps reduce their risk factors for osteoporosis later in life.

Validity of ultrasound prediction equations for total and regional muscularity in middle-aged and older men and women

To test the validity of published equations, 79 Caucasian adults (40 men and 39 women) aged 50-78 y had muscle thickness (MT) measured by ultrasound at nine sites of the body. Fat-free mass (FFM), lean soft tissue mass (LM) and total muscle mass (TMM) were estimated from MT using equations previously published in the literature. Appendicular LM (aLM) was estimated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and this method served as the reference criterion. There were strong correlations (range r = 0.85-0.94) between DXA-derived aLM and estimated FFM, leg LM or TMM. Total error between DXA-derived aLM and TMM (∼2 kg) was lower compared with the three other selected equations (6-10 kg). A Bland-Altman plot revealed that there was no systematic bias between aLM and TMM; however, the other three equations included systematic error. Our results suggest that an ultrasound equation for TMM is appropriate and useful for evaluating skeletal muscle mass in the body.

Skin Cancer Knowledge, Beliefs, Self-Efficacy, and Preventative Behaviors among North Mississippi Landscapers

There are slightly over one million workers in the landscape service industry in the US. These workers have potential for high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation exposure, increasing their risk of skin cancer. A cross-sectional sample of 109 landscapers completed a self-administered questionnaire based on Health Belief Model (HBM). The participants correctly answered 67.1% of the knowledge questions, 69.7% believed they were more likely than the average person to get skin cancer, and 87.2% perceived skin cancer as a severe disease. Participants believed that the use of wide-brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts/long pants, and sunscreen was beneficial but reported low usage of these and other sun protective strategies. The primary barriers to using sun protection were “I forget to wear it” and “it is too hot to wear.” Of the HBM variables, perceived benefits outweighing perceived barrier (r = .285, P = .003) and self-efficacy (r = .538, P = .001) were correlated with sun protection behaviors. The reasons for absence of the relationship between perceived skin cancer threat and sun protection behaviors could be lack of skin cancer knowledge and low rate of personal skin cancer history.

Top 10 research questions related to physical activity and bone health in children and adolescents.

Evidence strongly supports a positive, causal effect of physical activity on bone strength and suggests long-term benefits of childhood physical activity to the prevention of osteoporosis. The contribution of healthy bone development in youth is likely to be as important to fracture prevention as the amount of late adulthood bone loss. Families, schools (particularly physical education), and communities are key settings for health promotion focused on bone-enhancing physical activity. However, little research has explored the topic of health promotion and physical education as they pertain to bone health, so best practices are not known. Based on our understanding of the literature, we present the top 10 research questions in health promotion and physical education that should be answered to advance bone-enhancing physical activity in children and adolescents.

Bone Mineral Density of Adolescent Female Tennis Players and Nontennis Players

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in bone mineral density (BMD) among adolescent female tennis players (TPs) and nontennis players (NTPs) and to assess body composition as a predictor variable of BMD. Nineteen female TPs and 19 female NTPs, ages 14 to 18 years, participated in this study. Lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, forearms BMD, and body composition were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Lumbar spine and total hip BMD measurements for TP were greater than NTP. However, these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.37 and 0.12, resp.). TP had significantly greater femoral neck BMD than NTPs (P = 0.02). This difference might play an important role in preventing osteoporosis and decreasing the risk of fractures at the hip later in life.

Testing multi-theory model (MTM) in predicting initiation and sustenance of physical activity behavior among college students.

Background: Most college students do not adequately participate in enough physical activity (PA) to attain health benefits. A theory-based approach is critical in developing effective interventions to promote PA. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the newly proposed multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change in predicting initiation and sustenance of PA among college students. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a valid and reliable survey was administered in October 2015 electronically to students enrolled at a large Southern US University. The internal consistency Cronbach alphas of the subscales were acceptable (0.65-0.92). Only those who did not engage in more than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic PA during the past week were included in this study. Results: Of the 495 respondents, 190 met the inclusion criteria of which 141 completed the survey. The majority of participants were females (72.3%) and Caucasians (70.9%). Findings of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed construct validity of subscales (initiation model: χ2 = 253.92 [df = 143], P < 0.001, CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.07; sustenance model: χ2= 19.40 [df = 22], P < 0.001, CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.00, SRMR = 0.03). Multivariate regression analysis showed that 26% of the variance in the PA initiation was explained by advantages outweighing disadvantages, behavioral confidence, work status, and changes in physical environment. Additionally, 29.7% of the variance in PA sustenance was explained by emotional transformation, practice for change, and changes in social environment. Conclusion: Based on this study’s findings, MTM appears to be a robust theoretical framework for predicting PA behavior change. Future research directions and development of suitable intervention strategies are discussed.