Mark M. Misic

Benchmarking: a tool for Web site evaluation and improvement

Although benchmarking has touched many areas of an organization, including information systems, very few examples are available on how this powerful methodology can be used to specifically address one of the fastest growing elements within information systems – the World Wide Web. This paper presents a case study on how benchmarking was used to determine how one organization’s Web site compared to Web sites of related schools and professional organizations. The results of the benchmarking study provided a measure of how our Web site compares to the sites of related organizations, ideas on how we may further enhance our site, and also a way to regularly evaluate our site.

Muscle Quality, Aerobic Fitness and Fat Mass Predict Lower-Extremity Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Muscle mass, strength and fitness play a role in lower-extremity physical function (LEPF) in older adults; however, the relationships remain inadequately characterized. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships between leg mineral free lean mass (MFLMLEG), leg muscle quality (leg strength normalized for MFLMLEG), adiposity, aerobic fitness and LEPF in community-dwelling healthy elderly subjects. Methods: Fifty-five older adults (69.3 ± 5.5 years, 36 females, 19 males) were assessed for leg strength using an isokinetic dynamometer, body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and aerobic fitness via a treadmill maximal oxygen consumption test. LEPF was assessed using computerized dynamic posturography and stair ascent/descent, a timed up-and-go task and a 7-meter walk with and without an obstacle. Results: Muscle strength, muscle quality and aerobic fitness were similarly correlated with static LEPF tests (r range 0.27–0.40, p < 0.05); however, the strength of the independent predictors was not robust with explained variance ranging from 9 to 16%. Muscle quality was the strongest correlate of all dynamic LEPF tests (r range 0.54–0.65, p < 0.001). Using stepwise linear regression analysis, muscle quality was the strongest independent predictor of dynamic physical function explaining 29–42% of the variance (p < 0.001), whereas aerobic fitness or body fat mass explained 5–6% of the variance (p < 0.05) depending on performance measure. Conclusions: Muscle quality is the most important predictor, and aerobic fitness and fat mass are secondary predictors of LEPF in community-dwelling older adults. These findings support the importance of exercise, especially strength training, for optimal body composition, and maintenance of strength and physical function in older adults.

Sex impacts the relation between body composition and physical function in older adults.

Objective: To determine the sex-specific relationships between physical activity, aerobic fitness, adiposity (%Fat), mineral-free lean mass (MFLM), and balance and gait performance in older adults. Methods: Eighty-five female and 49 male sedentary, healthy, community-dwelling older adults (mean [SD] age, 69.6 [5.4] and 70.3 [4.7] years, respectively) were evaluated on habitual physical activity via questionnaire, aerobic fitness by a maximal oxygen consumption treadmill test, whole and regional body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and lower extremity physical function using gait tasks and computerized dynamic posturography. Results: As expected, men had less body fat, more lean mass, and higher aerobic fitness than did women and tended to perform better on all lower extremity physical function tasks (all P ≤ 0.1). Physical activity was not related to gait; however, fitness was related to gait in both sexes (r > 0.50, all P < 0.05). Body fat was related to gait in women (r = −0.38, P < 0.05) but not in men. Neither fitness nor body composition was related to balance in men, whereas in women, leg MFLM was positively associated (r = 0.27, P < 0.05). Women, but not men, with a greater ratio of body weight to leg MFLM performed worse on gait tasks (P < 0.001). There was an interaction with sex for %Fat on gait (P = 0.05) and for leg MFLM on balance (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In sedentary healthy older adults, the relation between body composition, aerobic fitness, and balance and gait differs between sexes such that women are more strongly affected by alterations in body composition. Lower %Fat and preservation of lower body lean mass have important implications for reducing the risk of physical disability, especially in older women.

Effect of Beta-alanine Supplementation on the Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) During Treadmill Running: Pre/post 2 Treatment Experimental Design

Backgroundβ-Alanine (βA) has been shown to improve performance during cycling. This study was the first to examine the effects of βA supplementation on the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) during incremental treadmill running.MethodsSeventeen recreationally-active men (mean ± SE 24.9 ± 4.7 yrs, 180.6 ± 8.9 cm, 79.25 ± 9.0 kg) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pre/post test 2-treatment experimental design. Subjects participated in two incremental treadmill tests before and after 28 days of supplementation with either βA (6.0 g·d-1)(βA, n = 8) or an equivalent dose of Maltodextrin as the Placebo (PL, n = 9). Heart rate, percent heart rate maximum (%HRmax), %VO2max@OBLA (4.0 mmol.L-1 blood lactate concentration) and VO2max (L.min-1) were determined for each treadmill test. Friedman test was used to determine within group differences; and Mann-Whitney was used to determine between group differences for pre and post values (p < 0.05).ResultsThe βA group experienced a significant rightward shift in HR@OBLA beats.min-1 (p < 0.01) pre/post (161.6 ± 19.2 to 173.6 ± 9.9) but remained unchanged in the PL group (166.8 ± 15.8 to 169.6 ± 16.1). The %HRmax@OBLA increased (p < 0.05) pre/post in the βA group (83.0% ± 9.7 to 88.6% ± 3.7) versus no change in the PL group (86.3 ± % 4.8 to 87.9% ± 7.2). The %VO2max@OBLA increased (p < 0.05) in the βA group pre/post (69.1 ± 11.0 to 75.6 ± 10.7) but remained unchanged in the PL group (73.3 ± 7.3 to 74.3 ± 7.3). VO2max (L.min-1) decreased (p < 0.01) in the βA group pre/post (4.57 ± 0.8 to 4.31 ± 0.8) versus no change in the PL group (4.04 ± 0.7 to 4.18 ± 0.8). Body mass kg increased (p < 0.05) in the βA group pre/post (77.9 ± 9.0 to 78.3 ± 9.3) while the PL group was unchanged (80.6 ± 9.1 to 80.4 ± 9.0).ConclusionsβA supplementation for 28 days enhanced sub-maximal endurance performance by delaying OBLA. However, βA supplemented individuals had a reduced aerobic capacity as evidenced by the decrease in VO2max values post supplementation.

Impact of Training Modality on Strength and Physical Function in Older Adults

Background: The importance of maintaining strength in older adults is well documented and various training modalities have been recommended; however, the effectiveness of various interventions with high translation to public health practice has not been completely characterized. Additionally, the interrelations among mode, strength, and lower extremity physical function (LEPF) changes in older adults warrant further investigation. Purpose: The primary aims were to examine the effectiveness of cardiovascular endurance training (CVE) compared with balance and flexibility training (FLEX) and to explore the relationship of muscle strength to LEPF. Methods: Fifty-five adults (69.1 ± 5.6 years, 35 female) were randomly assigned to 10 months of CVE or FLEX. Knee extension and flexion at 60 and 120°·s–1 were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. LEPF was measured using a battery of tasks. The CVE group exercised using treadmills, cycles, and elliptical trainers. The FLEX group participated in a group exercise class that incorporated flexibility and balance activities. Results: The CVE training group significantly improved peak oxygen consumption by 6% (p = 0.03), while the FLEX training group showed no change (p = 0.47). Participants significantly improved peak torque at both speeds and muscle actions by 21–65% (p ≤ 0.05), with no group effect (p > 0.05). Both groups also significantly improved performance on all LEPF tasks included in this study (4–7%, p ≤ 0.05). Significant correlations (all p = 0.00) were found between improvements in strength and improvements in LEPF including timed walk and peak torque extension and flexion at 60°·s–1 (r = 0.40 and 0.27, respectively), obstacle walk and peak torque extension and flexion at 60 and 120°·s–1 (r range 0.27–0.40), and stair ascent and peak torque extension at 120°·s–1 (r = 0.37). Conclusions: Sedentary older adults achieve similar improvements in strength and LEPF with either CVE or FLEX training with the latter being related to improvements in leg strength.

Systems analyst activities and skills in the new millennium

The nature of systems development has continued to undergo change as new technologies emerge and impact the environment in which systems must function. A nationwide survey of systems analysts was conducted to assess what tasks are most important, what skills are most important in completing the tasks, and how the tasks and skills needed may have changed over the last decade. The most important tasks were those associated with traditional systems development, namely defining system scope, objectives, system requirements, as well as assessing the impact of systems and evaluating their performance. Analytical skills were considered the most important skills overall, followed by technical and communication skills. The least important skills overall were interpersonal skills. When compared to results from a similar survey conducted in the early 1990s, the data from the present study revealed that while the most important tasks remained relatively unchanged, a number of shifts occurred in other aspects of the systems analysts work that reflect changes in the technological environment.

An assessment of systems analysis and design courses

Abstract Are colleges and universities adequately preparing their information systems graduates to perform successfully as practicing systems analysts? In this paper the relative importance of systems analysis and design tasks and skills as taught in undergraduate systems analysis and design courses is compared to the importance placed on these tasks and skills by practicing systems analysts. Whereas some concurrence is found, the number and nature of the differences may prompt educators to consider adjustments to the focus of their courses.

Location of body fat and body size impacts DXA soft tissue measures: a simulation study

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the ability of dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to detect exogenous fat in men and women simulating typical sex-specific weight changes.Subjects:A diverse sample including 29 elderly (52–83 years) and 61 young (18–40 years) individuals (45 women, 45 men) of varying body mass index (BMI; M±s.d.: 26.1±4.9 kg/m2, range=16.4–39 kg/m2).Methods:Whole body (WB) DXA scans (Hologic QDR 4500A) were completed with Scan 1 performed as a normal baseline scan, Scan 2 with 1 kg packet of lard placed on each thigh and Scan 3 with two 1 kg lard packets placed on the abdomen (men) or chest and abdomen (women).Results:Measurement error of fat mass (FM) was more pronounced in the trunk as lard packets were detected with 59% accuracy (error=0.82±0.42 kg, P<0.001), whereas 94% of thigh lard (error=0.11±0.45 kg, P<0.001) was determined to be FM, while the remainder in both conditions was determined to be mineral free lean mass. Initial FM (r=0.37, P<0.001) for thigh loading and trunk bone mineral content (r=0.30, P<0.01) for trunk-loaded conditions had the most impact on measurement error of WB FM.Conclusions:Regional differences impact measurement error of simulated changes in FM with greater measurement error in the trunk compared to the thigh region and initial FM and higher levels of bone mineral content in the trunk region impacting error.

Reading between the lines: an examination of systems analysis and design texts

Abstract Systems analysis and design is a key component of most information systems academic programs. One of the primary sources of information provided in such courses is the textbook. The purpose of the study is three-fold: first, to determine on an individual text level, the amount of coverage of various tasks, activities and tools; second, to identify which texts capture the largest percentage of the topics being studied; and lastly, to compare the overall rankings of the tasks, activities and tools to those of educators and practitioners. This paper discusses the results of this content analysis, and their implications for IS educators.

Lean soft tissue contributes more to bone health than fat mass independent of physical activity in women across the lifespan

OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between lean soft tissue (LST) and fat mass (FM) on bone health variables in women across the lifespan, while taking into account the influence of objectively measured habitual physical activity (PA). STUDY DESIGN A total of 104 women, 37 young (23.3 ± 2.6 years), 28 middle-age (49.2 ± 5.4 years), and 39 old (68.3 ± 6.4 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. All underwent a DXA scan and wore a pedometer for 7 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD of the whole body (WB), lumbar spine (LS) and proximal femur (PF), and body composition (FM and LST) were assessed with DXA and PA (steps/day) was assessed from 7 day pedometer counts. RESULTS LST was significantly and positively associated with PF and LS BMD (r = 0.34; 0.67, p < 0.05), and WB, PF and LS BMC (r range = 0.41-0.59, p < 0.05) in all age groups and WB BMD in the middle-age group (r = 0.72, p < 0.05) independent of PA, FM, and hormonal status. FM was not positively associated with any bone variable in any age group when adjusted for PA, LST, and hormonal status. PA was significantly associated with WB BMD in the middle-age group (r = 0.60, p < 0.05), independent of LST, FM, and hormonal status. CONCLUSIONS LST contributes more to bone health in women across the lifespan than FM, independent of PA and hormonal status.