scholarly journals Exploring the Impact of a Pedometer on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in a Cohort of U.S. Military Medical Students: A Pilot Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 180 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Lystrup ◽  
Gordon F. West ◽  
Matthew Ward ◽  
Jennifer Hall ◽  
Mark Stephens
Author(s):  
Liaquat R. Johnson ◽  
Ramiz Raja

Background: Empathy is integral to professionalism, but is lacking in medical students. There are few interventions that promote empathy. This pilot study describes the first use of a novel intervention to promote empathy.Methods: A novel social interaction game was developed and administered to first MBBS students. It provided an experiential simulation of persons belonging to lower socioeconomic strata over 4 simulated ‘days’. This cross-sectional study assessed the impact of the intervention on empathy using a 5-point Likert scale to score self-perceptions across several domains. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA).Results: There was a statistically significant decline in scale scores on all days following Day 1 (p<0.05). This was true across all domains. Cronbach’s alpha for internal reliability was 0.91 for Day 1; and 0.97 for Day 1 through Day 4. Open ended comments indicated empathic feelings were generated due to the intervention.Conclusions: A simulation experience like the social interaction game described here, may be used to improve the attitudes and empathy of medical students towards persons from low socioeconomic backgrounds.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253295
Author(s):  
Khaled Seetan ◽  
Mohammad Al-Zubi ◽  
Yousef Rubbai ◽  
Mohammad Athamneh ◽  
Almu’atasim Khamees ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has spread throughout the world and has resulted in significant morbidity, mortality, and negative psychological impact. This prospective cross-sectional study is exploring the effect of the pandemic on mental health of medical students. The study was conducted at six Jordanian medical schools using an online survey to collect students’ socio-demographic and academic data. Assessment of mental wellbeing status was done using Kessler’s psychological stress scale (K10); the impact of COVID-19 on life activities and strategies followed to manage the situation were also examined. A total of 553 medical students were recruited for the study. Men constituted 40.1%, and women were 59.9%. Students reported that COVID-19 has affected the aspects of physical fitness (73.1%), study (68.4%), and social relationships (65.6%) the most. Sixty-six percent of the students were concerned about family members’ affection, and more than half (58.4%) explained their concerns about the inability to get clinical sessions and labs. Cooking, baking, and hobby practicing were the most popular methods to improve their mental wellbeing. About half of the participants had a severe mental disorder, and only 13.2% were likely to be well. The study indicates that half of our medical students suffer severe mental disorders, with physical fitness, exercise, and studying being among the most affected aspects during the COVID 19 pandemic. It is recommended that measures need be taken to alleviate students’ stress, which might have deleterious effects in many aspects.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-35
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Čuprika ◽  
Andra Fernāte ◽  
Leonīds Čupriks

Abstract As it is mentioned in the action direction Healthy and Workable Individual of the National Development Plan of Latvia 2012 –2020: 30% of all the dead in Latvia have lost their life at the age of being able to work. The main causes of death rate are different diseases (cardio-vascular a.o.), as well as outer death causes (injuries) (Pudule et al, 2012; Štale et al, 2013). Only 8% of the EU and 6% of the Latvian population regularly perform moderate and very difficult physical activity (PA) (Eurobarometer, 2013). Therefore it is necessary to implement purposeful and effective health promoting and risk limiting events to develop the physical capital of one. The understanding of the impact of physical activity on one’s physical capital is not well explored in the previous studies (Hutson, 2012; Maguire, 2008; Goldenberg, 2003; Hedblom, 2009). Therefore, the aim of the study is to determine the relationship between PA and the objective indicators of physical capital for women in fitness. In the study voluntarily participated 33 women (30±4.1 years) from 2 fitness clubs in Riga. In order to determine the respondents’ objective indicators of physical capital were applied: bioimpedance method (TANITA SC330, Japan, 89/336/EC), heart rate variability analysis data processing software ‘Omega’, complex load test with expiratory gas analysis (VIASYS Healthcare GMBH, Germany) and Eirofit tests for adults. In order to determine the level of PA the IPAQ (Craig et al, 2003) short version in Latvian (Kaupuzs & Larins, 2010) was used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were made (SPSS ver.18.0). Several moderately close (0.5<|rs|<0.69; p<0.01) and close correlations (0.7<|rs|<0.99; p<0.01) are determined between the level of PA and indicators of body composition, physical work capacity, physical fitness and functional state of the body. The level of PA has a positive impact on the objective indicators of physical capital. The more physically active the respondent is, the better physical fitness, higher work capacity, better the indicators of his body composition are and better functional state.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Lipecki ◽  
Bartosz Rutowicz

Abstract Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of 10 weeks of bodyweight training on selected elements of body composition (body mass, muscle mass, and the percentage of body fat and water) and components of physical fitness (strength, strength endurance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity) of women aged 21-23 years who do not practise sports professionally. Material and methods. The study involved 15 women whose mean age was 22 years 2 months. Their body mass and composition were assessed using a TANITA BC-1000 scale, and the following parameters of physical fitness were measured: the strength and power of the upper and lower extremities; the strength endurance of the shoulders, shoulder girdle, and trunk; as well as their flexibility and physical capacity. The assessment was performed twice, that is before and after the completion of the 10-week programme. Results. The study revealed that the 10-week bodyweight training programme had caused a minor increase in body mass (1.16%) and body fat percentage (2.43%), while muscle mass and body water percentage had not changed. As far as physical fitness is concerned, the bodyweight exercises had had a positive impact on all of the elements of physical fitness which were measured, including statistically significant increases in the explosive strength of the lower extremities (5.6%; p<0.01), strength endurance of the trunk (10.7%; p<0.01), and aerobic capacity (33.3%; p<0.05). Conclusions. Without a properly balanced diet and nutrition control, the bodyweight training programme had a small impact on the parameters of body composition. It was, however, an effective way of enhancing general physical fitness: apart from improving muscle strength and endurance, it also increased physical capacity and flexibility.


Author(s):  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
José Carmelo Adsuar ◽  
Miguel Ángel García-Gordillo ◽  
Pilar Muñoz ◽  
Lidio Romo ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Regucalcin or senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) is a Ca2+ binding protein discovered in 1978 with multiple functions reported in the literature. However, the impact of exercise training on SMP30 in humans has not been analyzed. Aging is associated with many detrimental physiological changes that affect body composition, functional capacity, and balance. The present study aims to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) in postmenopausal women. (2) Methods: A total of 13 women (aged 54.3 ± 3.4 years) participated in the study. SMP30, body composition (fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass) and physical fitness (balance, time up and go (TUG) and 6-min walk test (6MWT)) were measured before and after the 12 weeks of WBV training. (3) Results: The WBV training program elicited a significant increase in SPM30 measured in plasma (27.7%, p = 0.004) and also in 6MWT (12.5%, p < 0.001). The WBV training also significantly reduced SPM30 measured in platelets (38.7%, p = 0.014), TUG (23.1%, p < 0.001) and total body fat mass (4.4%, p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: There were no significant differences in balance, lean mass or bone mass. The present study suggests that 12 weeks of WBV has the potential to improve SPM30, fat mass, TUG and 6MWT in postmenopausal women.


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