Mallory S. Kobak

The influence of a Tabata interval training program using an aquatic underwater treadmill on various performance variables.

Abstract Rebold, MJ, Kobak, MS, and Otterstetter, R. The influence of a Tabata interval-training program using an aquatic underwater treadmill on various performance variables. J Strength Cond Res 27(12): 3419–3425, 2013—The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week aquatic treadmill running (ATM) Tabata interval-training program on various performance variables including body fat percentage, force production, flexibility, and anaerobic power. Totally, 25 participants (17 males and 8 females) were randomized into either a control group (CON), which only completed Pre- and Posttesting, or exercise group (EX), which took part in the 8-week ATM Tabata interval-training program. Pre- and Posttesting consisted of the following measurements: body fat percentage, flexibility, force production, and anaerobic power. The Tabata interval-training program consisted of sprinting on an ATM at 7.5 miles⋅h−1 and with the front jets turned on at 80, 85, 90, and 95% progressively increasing throughout the 8 weeks. A 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of time (F = 236.13; p < 0.001) and group by time interaction (F = 1.95; p = 0.02). Paired-samples t-test revealed a significant difference in the CON group from Pre- to Posttesting for mean power from the Wingate test (t = −2.20; p = 0.05) and a significant difference in the EX group for right leg goniometry (t = −2.34; p = 0.04) and mean power from the Wingate test (t = −2.81; p = 0.02). These results are favorable because it demonstrates that participants who engage in an ATM Tabata interval-training program can elicit a strong enough stimulus to improve flexibility and anaerobic power in terms of mean power while decreasing musculoskeletal impact placed on the ligaments, joints, and tendons.

The validity of the commercially-available, low-cost, wrist-worn Movband accelerometer during treadmill exercise and free-living physical activity

ABSTRACT Low-cost physical activity monitors may provide a more accurate measure of physical activity than subjective methods (e.g., self-report) while being less costly than research-grade accelerometers. The present study assessed the validity of a low-cost monitor (Movband 2) to estimate physical activity behavior/intensity. Participants (N = 23, n = 16 female, BMI = 22.9 ± 4.0 kg/m2, age = 21.9 ± 1.6 years) completed four, five-minute treadmill stages (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 MPH) while wearing both the Movband and the previously-validated Actigraph monitor. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was recorded during each stage (Laboratory assessment). A subset (n = 15, n = 10 female, BMI = 22.2 ± 3.2 kg/m2, age = 21.5 ± 0.8 years) of these participants then wore the two accelerometers for three days (Free-living assessment). During the Laboratory assessment there were strong, significant (r = 0.94, p ≤ 0.001) relationships between Movband and Actigraph counts and VO2. During Free-living assessment there was also a strong, significant (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) correlation between Movband and Actigraph counts. The low-cost, Movband accelerometer appears to provide a valid assessment of physical activity behavior/intensity.