Nora Constantino

Maximal aerobic power, lactate threshold, and running performance in master athletes.

PURPOSE This study sought to determine how lactate threshold (LT) is related to running performance in older male and female runners, if LT changes significantly with age, and if gender alters the relationship between LT and performance in older runners. METHODS Subjects were 168 master runners (111 men, 57 women) selected from a longitudinal study, who ran at least 10 miles x wk(-1) for 5 yr or more. VO2max was measured on a treadmill and body composition by hydrostatic weighing. Blood samples taken each minute of exercise were analyzed for lactate concentration and LT determined as the breakpoint in lactate accumulation. Performance times and training histories were self-reported by questionnaire. RESULTS Men had significantly greater body mass, fat-free mass (FFM), and VO2max (L x min(-1); mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) than women. FFM and VO2max (L x min(-1); mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) declined with age in both men and women. Running performance was significantly different between men and women and declined with age in both. LT (L x min(-1); mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was significantly different between men and women, and declined significantly with age in men, whereas LT (%VO2max) did not differ between men and women and increased significantly with age in both. VO2max (mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was the most significant predictor of performance in both men and women, whereas LT (L x min(-1)) added to the prediction of 5-km and 10-km performance in women. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate that VO2max (mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) is a better predictor of performance than LT in older male and female runners. Additionally, LT as a percentage of VO2max increases significantly with age.

Usefulness of the Food Habits Questionnaire in a Worksite Setting

OBJECTIVE To examine the validity and reliability of the 24-item Food Habits Questionnaire (FHQ) in a worksite setting. DESIGN In a longitudinal design, subjects in a 9-month worksite intervention program completed the FHQ pre- and postintervention. A randomly selected subsample also completed 2 sets of 4-day food records. SETTING Three locations within a multisite industrial equipment company. PARTICIPANTS Subjects (N = 178) self-selected to participate in the program and completed the FHQ. Mean age was 40.7+/-10.6, 60% were male, and 82% were white, and there were 15 occupational categories. Thirty-two subjects completed 2 sets of 4-day food records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To examine the validity and reliability of the FHQ total scale and subscales in a worksite setting with both men and women from varying socioeconomic levels. ANALYSIS Cronbach a coefficient to estimate internal consistency for the total scale and the subscales, Pearson correlation coefficients to estimate test-retest reliabilities and criterion validity. RESULTS For the 5 subscales, findings showed generally low internal consistency, moderate test-retest reliability, and low to moderate correlations with food record results. Psychometric properties for the total score of the FHQ included satisfactory internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion validity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The FHQ subscales did not perform well and need to be more fully developed. Therefore, the FHQ may best be used as a total scale score to indicate fat-related behaviors.

Exercise as a treatment modality to maintain normoglycemia in gestational diabetes.

Exercise can be a safe alternative to insulin therapy and may possibly eliminate the need for insulin in GDM. Exercise therapy should be explored as an additional means to maintain normoglycemia, preconceptionally as well as throughout pregnancy.

Challenges of Collaboration to Address Health Disparities in the Rapidly Growing Community of Las Vegas, Nevada

Collaboration was established between a university and the faith-based community in Clark County, Nevada to develop a coalition to address chronic disease in the African American population. The university faculty enlisted several churches and health related agencies to join the coalition. The challenges of collaborating with a community coalition to develop and implement a grant are discussed.