Differences in Energy Expenditure and Typing Speed While Sitting, Standing, and Walking in College Students

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine if caloric expenditure and typing speed differed among three positions (sitting, standing, walking). Methods: Participants included 40 college students (18-22 years, 30 males and 10 females) on either the baseball or track and field teams. Each participant was tested for 5 minutes in three different positions. Caloric expenditure was measured via indirect calorimetry and typing productivity via a 3-minute typing test. Repeated measures ANOVAs and T-Tests were performed to determine statistical differences for caloric expenditure and typing speed. Results: Caloric expenditure (calories per 5 minutes) was significantly higher for walking (16.4 ± 3.1) than for sitting (9.0 ± 2.4, p <0.0001) and standing (9.4 ± 2.0, p <0.0001). For typing productivity, standing resulted in faster typing speed than walking (37.4 ± 10.2 vs. 34.7 ± 10.7 wpm, p = 0096). Conclusions: Using a standup walking desk to type while working expends significantly more calories than typing while sitting or standing at a desk. However, typing speed was significantly higher while standing at a desk than while walking at a desk.

Physical activity behaviors and attitudes among women with an eating disorder: a qualitative study

Background Physical activity (PA) is an integral part of healthcare for the general population and individuals with psychiatric disorders. However, PA is significantly more complex for and related to both healthy (e.g., reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms) and unhealthy outcomes (e.g., intrusive, repetitive thoughts that lead to abnormally high levels of PA) among women with an eating disorder (ED). Consequently, many healthcare professionals recommend abstinence from PA during ED treatment. Despite this, women may remain engaged in PA during ED treatment or resume PA shortly thereafter. Little has been done to understand women’s PA behaviors and attitudes and to explore how they integrate PA into their lives during and after ED treatment. Thus, this study sought to explore PA behaviors and attitudes among women with an ED. Methods Nine women who self-reported receiving an ED diagnosis participated in semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Six interrelated themes were constructed to represent participants’ PA experiences: PA as a lifestyle, PA can be beneficial, How I feel when I can’t do PA, Being cautious about PA, Reactions to healthcare professionals’ practice of recommending abstinence from PA during ED treatment, and PA programming thoughts. Conclusions Overcoming dysfunctional PA behaviors (e.g., engaging in abnormally high levels of PA) and attitudes (e.g., associating PA with caloric expenditure) can be a long and complicated journey for women with an ED. Nevertheless, women with an ED want PA to be integrated into their ED treatment protocol for two key reasons, namely to accrue the benefits associated with PA and to learn how to engage in PA in adaptive and healthy ways.

Validity of Caloric Expenditure Measured from a Wheelchair User Smartwatch

The objective of this study was to investigate the validity of measured caloric expenditure from a fitness smartwatch designed to measured values in wheelchair users against criterion values from a portable metabolic system. 15 wheelchair users and 15 able-bodied participants completed multiple tasks; wheelchair treadmill routine at 30, 45, and 60 strokes per minute, arm cycle ergometry at 45, 60, and 80 revolutions per minute, and arm cycle ergometry VO2Peak test. There were no interactions for device or task and group (wheelchair users vs. able bodied, p=0.375-0.944) therefore results were pooled across groups for all measures. The smartwatch exhibited poor to moderate caloric expenditure association during wheelchair treadmill routine (ICC<0.39) and arm cycle ergometry (ICC<0.541). Smartwatch underestimated caloric expenditure during the wheelchair treadmill task (Mean differences (Limits of Agreement)) (−2.11 (−8.19–3.96), −3.68 (−12.64–5.28), and −4.51 (−15.05–6.02)) and overestimated during the arm cycle ergometry task (0.89 (−3.10–4.88), 3.40 (−0.31–7.12), and 2.81 (−1.71–7.32)). The smartwatch is currently not well suited to calculate caloric expenditure when performing exercise tasks on a wheelchair treadmill and arm cycle ergometry.

Gasto calórico en bailarines de danza contemporánea. Estudio de caso (Caloric expenditure in contemporary dance dancers. Case study)

El propósito de nuestro estudio fue determinar el gasto calórico en bailarines de danza contemporánea y relacionarlo con su ingesta para poder identificar el balance energético; todo esto se llevo a cabo durante el periodo de actuaciones de dichos bailarines. Diez estudiantes de la modalidad de danza contemporánea, cinco hombres con una edad media 25 ± 5,08 y cinco mujeres de 21 ± 2,51 años años participaron en este estudio. Sin embargo, debido a una inesperada cancelación se produjo una muerte muestral de dos sujetos hombre. Durante un período de 3 días consecutivos el gasto energético diario total fue medido usando el sensor metabólico BodyMedia SenseWear y la ingesta calórica fue recopilada a través una historia nutricional de recuerdo de 24 h y transformada a ingesta energética diaria con el software informático DIAL. Los resultados arrojaron un balance energético negativo en hombres de –1.623, 27 ± 626, 76 kilocalorías por día (Kcal/d) y en mujeres de –1.196,87 ± 360, 28 Kcal/d. Se puede concluir que los bailarines tuvieron ingestas calóricas bajas, lo que condujo a un balance energético negativo. Estos resultados hacen pensar que las altas demandas energéticas de los bailarines de danza contemporánea obligan a aumentar la ingesta alimentaria en entrenamientos y días de función. Los bailarines de danza contemporánea pueden estar en riesgo de numerosos problemas de salud y rendimiento asociados con un balance energético negativo, particularmente durante los períodos de entrenamiento.Summary: the purpose of our study was to determine the caloric expenditure in dancers of contemporary dance and relate it to their intake, so to identify their energy balance; the research took place during the dancers’ period of performances. Ten students of contemporary dance modality, five men with an average age of 25 ± 5.08 years old, and five women aged 21 ± 2.51 years old, participated in this study. However, due to an unexpected cancellation there was a dropout of two male subjects. During a period of 3 consecutive days, the total daily energy expenditure was measured using BodyMedia SenseWear metabolic sensors, while caloric intake was collected through a nutritional 24h recall instrument and then transformed to daily energy intake with the DIAL computer software. The results showed a negative energy balance in men (-1.623,27 ± 626; 76 Kcal/d) and in women (- 1.196,87 ± 360; 28 Kcal/d). It can be concluded that dancers had low caloric intakes, which led to a negative energy balance. These results suggest that the high energetic demands of contemporary dance dancers should drive to an increase in food intake during training and performance days. Contemporary dancers may be at risk for numerous health and performance problems associated with a negative energy balance, particularly during periods of training.