Reducing Alcohol Use Among High School Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief, Web-Based Personalized Normative Feedback Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
Diana M. Doumas ◽  
Nadine R. Mastroleo

High school athletes are at risk for heavy alcohol use, which is associated with consequences that may negatively impact performance and eligibility to participate in sports. This study evaluated the efficacy of a web-based personalized normative feedback intervention on reducing alcohol use among high school athletes in their senior year. Class periods were randomized to the intervention or an assessment-only control group. Athletes completed surveys at baseline and at a 6-week follow-up. They were classified as high-risk or low-risk drinkers based on baseline reports of binge drinking. Results indicated that for athletes classified as high-risk drinkers, those in the intervention group reported significantly greater reductions in quantity of weekly drinking and peak drinking quantity compared with those in the assessment-only control group. There were no significant intervention effects for frequency of alcohol use. Findings support the efficacy of web-based personalized normative feedback intervention for reducing alcohol use among high school senior athletes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0014
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Janosky ◽  
Brandon Schneider ◽  
Daphne Ling ◽  
James Russomano ◽  
Naomi Roselaar ◽  
...  

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common and devastating sports-related knee injuries. Neuromuscular training (NMT) has demonstrated efficacy as a preventive intervention for ACL injury and has been associated with improvements in measures of sports performance, but the specific physiologic mechanisms that serve as protective factors and contribute to improved performance haven not been well-defined. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between NMT and biomechanical efficiency among high school athletes. We hypothesized that the performance of NMT is associated with improved biomechanical efficiency during the performance of fundamental movements and agility tests when compared to a group of untrained control subjects. Methods: Eight high school soccer and basketball teams (111 athletes, 53.1% male, mean age 15.6 years) were recruited and assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group performed NMT as part of their warm-up prior to each practice and competition for 12 weeks. NMT was administered by experienced sports medicine clinicians who provided exercise instruction, technique cues, and performance feedback throughout each training session. The control group performed their customary warm-up under the direction of the team’s coaches. Biomechanical efficiency was assessed through performance of static and dynamic tests using an FDA-approved wireless sensor system. Agility was assessed using a timed three-cone agility test. All tests were administered immediately prior to and following each competitive sports season. Results: Matched pre-/post-season data was collected from 74 athletes (67%). Significant improvements [point estimate (95% CI) p-value] were observed in the intervention group for left lower extremity [0.25 (0.06,0.45) p = 0.01] and right lower extremity [0.21 (0.05,0.37) p = 0.01] loading/landing speed ratios during a single leg hop test, left lower extremity [-136.34 (-225.74,-46.95) p = 0.003] and right lower extremity [-110 (-211.36,-8.64) p = 0.03] ground reaction force, left lower extremity [-1.03, (-.189,-0.18) p = 0.02] and right lower extremity [-0.94 (-1.73,-0.14) p = 0.02] initial peak acceleration, and cadence [-12.12 (-21.60,-2.65) p = 0.01] during a straight-line running acceleration/deceleration test, and time [0.51 (0.24,0.78) p = 0.0003] during a three-cone agility test. Conclusion: Results demonstrate that season-long, sport-specific, age-appropriate NMT administered by sports medicine clinicians can significantly improve biomechanical efficiency during the performance of fundamental movements and agility tests by high school athletes. To achieve similar results, sports coaches should be trained to provide exercise instruction, technique cues, and performance feedback when administering NMT in real-world settings. [Table: see text][Table: see text]


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Eccles ◽  
Molly Nannarone ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
Mark Attridge ◽  
Alain Marchand ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Depression has a profound impact on population health. Although using web-based mental health programs to prevent depression has been found to be effective in decreasing depression incidence, there are obstacles preventing their use, as reflected by the low rates of use and adherence. OBJECTIVE The aims of the study are to understand the barriers to using web-based mental health programs for the prevention of depression and the possible dangers or concerns regarding the use of such programs. METHODS BroMatters and HardHat were two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of e–mental health programs for preventing workplace depression. In the BroMatters RCT, only working men who were at high risk of having a major depressive episode were included. The participants were assigned to either the control group or 1 of 2 intervention groups. The control participants had access to the general depression information on the BroMatters website. Intervention group 1 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth—the depression prevention program. Intervention group 2 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth along with weekly access to a qualified coach through telephone calls. The HardHat trial targeted both men and women at high risk of having a major depressive episode. The participants in the intervention group were given access to the HardHat depression prevention program (which included a web-based coach), whereas HardHat access was only granted to the control group once the study was completed. This qualitative study recruited male participants from the intervention groups of the two RCTs. A total of 2 groups of participants were recruited from the BroMatters study (after a baseline interview: n=41; 1 month after the RCT: n=20; 61/744, 8.2%), and 1 group was recruited from the HardHat RCT 1 month after the initial quantitative interview (9/103, 8.7%). Semistructured interviews were performed with the participants (70/847, 8.3%) and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS There were both personal and program-level barriers to program use. The three personal barriers included time, stress level, and the perception of depression prevention. Content, functionality, and dangers were the program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. Large amounts of text and functionality issues within the programs decreased participants’ engagement. The dangers associated with web-based mental health programs included privacy breaches and inadequate help for severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS There are personal and program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. The stigmatization of help seeking for depression symptoms affects the time spent on the program, as does the public perception of depression. Certain barriers may be mitigated by program updates, whereas others may require a complete shift in the perception of depression prevention.


10.2196/16949 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. e16949
Author(s):  
Heidi Eccles ◽  
Molly Nannarone ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
Mark Attridge ◽  
Alain Marchand ◽  
...  

Background Depression has a profound impact on population health. Although using web-based mental health programs to prevent depression has been found to be effective in decreasing depression incidence, there are obstacles preventing their use, as reflected by the low rates of use and adherence. Objective The aims of the study are to understand the barriers to using web-based mental health programs for the prevention of depression and the possible dangers or concerns regarding the use of such programs. Methods BroMatters and HardHat were two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of e–mental health programs for preventing workplace depression. In the BroMatters RCT, only working men who were at high risk of having a major depressive episode were included. The participants were assigned to either the control group or 1 of 2 intervention groups. The control participants had access to the general depression information on the BroMatters website. Intervention group 1 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth—the depression prevention program. Intervention group 2 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth along with weekly access to a qualified coach through telephone calls. The HardHat trial targeted both men and women at high risk of having a major depressive episode. The participants in the intervention group were given access to the HardHat depression prevention program (which included a web-based coach), whereas HardHat access was only granted to the control group once the study was completed. This qualitative study recruited male participants from the intervention groups of the two RCTs. A total of 2 groups of participants were recruited from the BroMatters study (after a baseline interview: n=41; 1 month after the RCT: n=20; 61/744, 8.2%), and 1 group was recruited from the HardHat RCT 1 month after the initial quantitative interview (9/103, 8.7%). Semistructured interviews were performed with the participants (70/847, 8.3%) and analyzed using content analysis. Results There were both personal and program-level barriers to program use. The three personal barriers included time, stress level, and the perception of depression prevention. Content, functionality, and dangers were the program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. Large amounts of text and functionality issues within the programs decreased participants’ engagement. The dangers associated with web-based mental health programs included privacy breaches and inadequate help for severe symptoms. Conclusions There are personal and program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. The stigmatization of help seeking for depression symptoms affects the time spent on the program, as does the public perception of depression. Certain barriers may be mitigated by program updates, whereas others may require a complete shift in the perception of depression prevention.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
William Jakatama ◽  
Sri Wahyudati

Background: Sedentary life style lead to obesity which related into deterioration of cardiac function, anddeconditioning on musculoskeletal system, particularly on walking function. Walking is an important activityin human life, that automatically repeated in daily activity. Doing exercise by walking activity is a simple andsafe exercise. However, in walking exercise prescription, we need to establish what is the objective to achieve.The ten thousand steps of Walking Program (10,000 SWP) is pedometer-based walking program begin in Japanfor adult and elderly, thus the effects in obesity adolescent remains unclear. The aimed of this study was to findthe effect of 10,000 SWP in Cardiorespiratory Endurance (CE) on obese adolescent.Methods:This study was pre and post randomly experimental design with control, in 24 high school obeseadolescent. Subjects divided into two groups, the intervention group that received 10,000 steps walking program5 days in a week for 6 weeks, and the control group that number of step walking recorded by a pedometerwithout daily target. The cardiorespiratory endurance (VO2 max) was evaluated by the six minute walking test(6MWT), that measured before and after intervention.Results: The Intervention and control groups each contain 12 obese high school students, that equal in age,body mass index, and the mean number of walking steps per day. There was no differences between VO2max1 (12.45 ml/Kg ) and VO2max 2 (12.38 ml/Kg ) (p=0.852) in control group, while there was the differencesbetween VO2max 1 (12.44 ml/kg) and VO2max 2 (17.06 ml/kg) (p=0.002) in treatment group.Conclusion: The 10,000 SWP has proven increasing the Cardiorespiratory Endurance of Obese Adolescent.Keywords: 10,000 Steps Walking Program, 6 Minute Walking Test, Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Obese Adolescent.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan van Lieshout ◽  
Joyca Lacroix ◽  
Aart van Halteren ◽  
Martina Teichert

BACKGROUND Growing numbers of people use medication for chronic conditions; non-adherence is common, leading to poor disease control. A newly developed web-based tool to identify an increased risk for non-adherence with related potential individual barriers might facilitate tailored interventions and improve adherence. OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of the newly developed tool to improve medication adherence. METHODS A cluster randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of this adherence tool in patients initiating cardiovascular or oral blood glucose lowering medication. Participants were included in community pharmacies. They completed an online questionnaire comprising an assessments of their risk for medication non-adherence and subsequently of barriers to adherence. In pharmacies belonging to the intervention group, individual barriers displayed in a graphical profile on a tablet were discussed by pharmacists and patients at high non-adherence risk in face to face meetings and shared with their general practitioners and practice nurses. Tailored interventions were initiated by the healthcare providers. Barriers of control patients were not presented or discussed and these patients received usual care. The primary outcome was the difference in medication adherence at 8 months follow-up between patients with an increased non-adherence risk from intervention and control group, calculated from dispensing data. RESULTS Data from 492 participants in 15 community pharmacies were available for analyses (intervention 253, 7 pharmacies; control 239, 8 pharmacies). The intervention had no effect on medication adherence (-0.01; 95%CI -0.59 – 0.57; P= .96), neither in the post hoc per protocol analysis (0.19; 95%CI -0.50 – 0.89; P=.58). CONCLUSIONS This study showed no effectiveness of a risk stratification and tailored intervention addressing personal barriers for medication adherence. Various potential explanations for lack of effect were identified. These explanations relate for instance to high medication adherence in the control group, study power and fidelity. Process evaluation should elicit possible improvements and inform the redesign of intervention and implementation. CLINICALTRIAL The Netherlands National Trial Register: NTR5186. Date: May 18, 2015 (http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=5186)


2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeliki Papadaki ◽  
Jane A. Scott

A 6-month intervention study with a quasi-experimental design was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based, stepwise, tailored-feedback intervention promoting four key components of the Mediterranean diet. Fifty-three (intervention group) and nineteen (control group) healthy females were recruited from the Universities of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian, Scotland, respectively. Participants in the intervention group received tailored dietary and psychosocial feedback and Internet nutrition education over a 6-month period, while participants in the control group were provided with minimal dietary feedback and general healthy-eating brochures. Internet education was provided via an innovative Mediterranean Eating Website. Dietary changes were assessed with 7 d estimated food diaries at baseline and 6 months, and data were analysed to calculate the Mediterranean Diet Score, a composite score based on the consumption of eight components of the traditional Mediterranean diet. The ‘intention-to-treat’ analyses showed that, at 6 months, participants in the intervention group had significantly increased their intake of vegetables, fruits and legumes, as well as the MUFA:saturated fatty acid ratio in their diet, and had significantly increased plasma HDL-cholesterol levels and a reduced ratio of total:HDL-cholesterol. Participants in the control group increased their intake of legumes but showed no other favourable significant changes compared with baseline. This Internet-based, tailored-feedback intervention promoting components of the Mediterranean diet holds promise in encouraging a greater consumption of plant foods, as well as increasing monounsaturated fat and decreasing saturated fat in the Scottish diet; it also shows that the Mediterranean diet can be adopted by healthy individuals in northern European countries.


Author(s):  
Federica Galli ◽  
Tommaso Palombi ◽  
Luca Mallia ◽  
Andrea Chirico ◽  
Thomas Zandonai ◽  
...  

The outbreak of coronavirus required adjustment regarding the delivery of interventions. Media literacy interventions are necessary to help people acquire relevant skills to navigate the complexities of media communications, and to encourage health-promoting behaviors. The present study aimed to promote a media literacy intervention regarding performance and appearance enhancement substances use in sports high school students. The COVID-19 contingency allowed us to evaluate whether online sessions can effectively promote greater awareness of media influence, a stronger sense of confidence in persuading others to deal with media messages, and healthier attitudes about PAES use among high school students. The study relied on an “intervention group” comprising 162 students (31.5% female) and a “control group” comprising 158 students (42% female). Data were analyzed through repeated measures of Group X Time MANOVA and ANOVA, demonstrating some degree of efficacy of the media literacy intervention. The “intervention group” reported higher awareness of potential newspapers’ influence and a significant increase in their sense of confidence in dealing with media influence compared to the “control group”. Findings support the efficacy of online media literacy programs to prevent doping consumption in adolescents.


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