Sharon K. Christman

Beliefs about tobacco among appalachian current and former users

Higher risks of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in Appalachians provided the impetus for this qualitative study. The purpose was to describe beliefs about tobacco use and cessation among current and former tobacco users in rural Appalachia using focus groups. Findings included themes of nicotine addiction and pros and cons of tobacco use. The importance of family and personal independence in relation to tobacco were evident. Participants identified helpful tobacco treatment strategies. Similarities to treatment needs of tobacco users in general underscore the point that rural Appalachians require best practice tobacco treatment integrating unique cultural aspects of family and personal independence.

Continuous handrail support, oxygen uptake, and heart rate in women during submaximal step treadmill exercise.

Past research suggests that continuous handrail support during exercise attenuates physiologic responses to exercise and reduces aerobic benefits; however, this phenomenon has not been systematically studied in women exercising on the step treadmill. The effects of three levels of handrail support (continuous light, continuous very light, or no handrail support) on oxygen uptake and heart rate during step treadmill exercise were examined in 15 healthy women. Measures were obtained during 6 bouts of exercise, 3 bouts at 25 steps/min followed by 3 bouts at 33 steps/min. At both step rates, mean oxygen uptake was significantly reduced during continuous light and continuous very light handrail support as compared with no handrail support, and mean heart rate was significantly reduced during continuous light versus no handrail support. At 25 steps/min only, mean heart rate was significantly reduced during continuous very light versus no handrail support. Findings indicate that women who use even continuous light or continuous very light handrail support attenuate physiologic responses during step treadmill exercise, thereby reducing aerobic requirements and gaining suboptimal benefits from exercise.

Stepping as an exercise modality for improving fitness and function

This article describes three stepping modes, summarizes research on stepping in healthy adults and patients with peripheral vascular disease, and discusses clinical implications and directions for future research. Stepping exercise has been shown to increase cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy adults and increase physical function in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Although further research is warranted, stepping exercise has potential value as a nursing intervention to correct alterations in physical mobility in selected populations. Stepping is proposed as an alternative exercise strategy; one which adds variety to exercise routines and may enhance long-term exercise adherence.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Stepping Exercise for Cardiovascular Fitness in Women

Nurses conducting clinical research often test the feasibility and acceptability of interventions before using them in large-scale experimental studies. This article specifically reviews stepping exercise as an intervention with women. In a literature review, three stepping modes (steptreadmill, bench/step, and stepper) were compared, with the steptreadmill being identified as the most advantageous for use in experimental research. An exemplar was constructed to illustrate feasibility and acceptability of steptreadmill exercise (motorized stair climbing) in 11 women with hypertension. Steptreadmill exercise is feasible and acceptable and shows promise for use in experimental studies where strict control over the exercise performed is required.

The nuts and bolts in conducting a research study

When conducting research, there are certain basic points that need to be considered in order to have a successful outcome. The purpose of this poster is to delineate the practicalities involved after one has written a research proposal. This briefly includes pursuing grant opportunities, application to the Institutional Review Board, targeting the physical setting for the study, purchasing equipment, developing data collection records with the computer data entry program, and designing subject recruitment information and troubleshooting.