Physical Activity and Exercise for Optimal Disease Prevention: Clinical Evidence

Previous physical activity guidelines from health organizations provide general physical activity and exercise intensity and duration recommendations. These guidelines have experienced very little change over the last two decades, despite significant changes in technology, more specifically wearable technology. The guidelines typical refer to exercise intensity as low, moderate and vigorous intensity based on a metabolic equivalent scale (MET) or a subjective scale. With wearable technology being accessible, affordable, reliable, and accurate, more attention should be given address recommendations that are multifaceted and specific. Most wearable technology can easily track sleep, steps, calories, hear rate, and exercise time within certain heart rate training zones. Research has shown that monitoring exercise and physical activity with wearable technology can improve health outcomes3.

A Qualitative Exploration of Social Media Consumption and Use Among Everyday Women Who Participate in CrossFit

Introduction: Social media allows a user to be a content creator and consumer. This paper focuses on the social media engagement of everyday women who participate in CrossFit, exploring differences in how they consume and use social media content. CrossFit women are celebrated for their strength, power, and fitness in the social media community, which is not consistent for all women. Methods: This study used semi-structured focus groups with 47 participants between the ages of 18-54 who were everyday women who participate in CrossFit. The participants self-identified their level of CrossFit as recreational, semi-competitive, competitive, or high-level competitors. Results: Findings reveal two major themes: consuming corporate messaging and using social media for their own benefit, included the subthemes of social support and shifting perceptions. The findings, including supportive quotations from the participants, reveal that these women are critical consumers of social media who express disapproval of traditional media portrayals of women’s bodies. Conclusions: Women’s experiences with CrossFit seem to offer some protection from the negative outcomes associated with consumption of traditional media messaging about women’s bodies.

The Knowledge and Use of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy in a Sample of Physical Therapists in the United States

Purpose: Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFRT) is a rehabilitation technique that seems to elicit hypertrophy gains similar to heavy resistance training. Despite increased popularity of BFRT, the extent it is used in physical therapy (PT) is unknown. The purpose of the study was to examine the knowledge, and utilization, of BFRT by practicing Physical Therapists (PTs). Methods: PTs were recruited to complete an online survey on their knowledge and use of BFRT. Results: From 159 participants, it was found that 88.1% (n=140) of participating PTs had heard of BFRT, with age and gender disparities, though only 38.6% (n=54) reported using BFRT on a patient. There was a significant difference between male and female PTs knowledge (98% vs 81%, p < 0.001) and use (48% vs 24%, p = 0.016) of BFRT. 98% of PTs who reported using BFRT indicated it was beneficial or very beneficial for their patients. Conclusions: There were apparent gaps between PTs knowledge of BFRT and inclusion in practice, though most of these clinicians would be open to consider use of BFRT. Nearly all BFRT practitioners believed it was efficacious and will continue using it. Education and training of PTs could improve utilization of BFRT and, perhaps, ultimately clinical outcomes.

Student Perception of Online Learning Experiences Associated with COVID-19

Introduction: The devastation of COVID-19 has profoundly disrupted the U.S. educational system. Student dissatisfaction with online learning has adversely effected enrollment and student retention. Identifying factors that contribute to student satisfaction with online learning experiences is imperative to bolstering student retention and enrollment. This study examines student opinions related to overall satisfaction of online learning experiences during the COVID-19 shift to remote learning. Methods: A single electronic, university wide, survey was sent out to all 16,212 students enrolled at a Southern, regionally accredited university. The survey remained open for five weeks during the fall 2020 semester. A single e-mail reminder data was sent to all students with a link to the survey and the survey closing date. Descriptive, inferential and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results: Student satisfaction with online learning experiences during COVID-19 were much lower than previously reported averages. Student satisfaction significantly differed based on sex and program type. Female students (M=1.53, SD=.500, p=.005) and students enrolled in online programs (M=1.53, SD=.500 p<.001) reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction with online learning amid the onset of COVID-19, in comparison to male students (M=1.42, SD=.495) and students enrolled in traditional (face-to-face or hybrid format) programs (M=1.46, SD=.499). Qualitative analyses found that student opinions about instructional design elements pertaining to course structure (content, sequence and methods), sociology and compassion influenced student satisfaction with online learning experiences. Conclusions: Student sex, type of program, elements of course design, and instructor compassion influenced student satisfaction with learning experiences during the onset of COVID-19. Improvement in course structure and student-teacher interaction may improve student rates of satisfaction with online learning experiences.

Is a 4-Week Long Functional Training Program Able to Improve Physical Fitness Components in University Faculty and Staff?

Introduction: The physical wellbeing of university faculty and staff is often overlooked. Exercise improves physical fitness and could indirectly lead to benefits such as enhanced work productivity and mood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short duration high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program on essential components of physical fitness in university faculty and staff members. Methods: Eighteen university faculty and staff members (age 35.4 ± 11.7 years) participated in the study. Prior to training, they completed five assessments: cardiorespiratory fitness (submaximal VO2), muscular strength (one repetition maximal leg press [1RM]), muscular endurance (push-ups), body composition (body fat percentage [BF%]), and trunk flexibility (sit and reach). Tests were repeated after four weeks (three sessions per week) of multi-modal HIFT. Paired samples t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-training data. Results: There were significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (p=0.009), 1RM leg press (p<0.01) and push-ups completed (p<0.01). No significant changes were shown in BF% (p=0.581) or trunk flexibility (p=0.199). Conclusions: Four weeks of training improved cardiorespiratory fitness as well as muscular strength and endurance. HIFT programs represent a time-efficient and effective training method for improving multiple components of physical fitness in university faculty and staff, despite a relatively short duration.

Design of an Eccentric Recumbent Ergometer to Elicit Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Introduction: Our objective was to design an eccentric bicycle design to elicit delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods: To assess the bicycle designs’ ability to elicit DOMS, fourteen, recreationally active, males performed five-minutes of eccentric bicycling at 50% of their individualized power determined from a modified six-second Wingate test. Outcome measures to assess DOMS included the Likert pain scale, creatine kinase, lactate blood concentration, and pressure algometry detection evaluated at four time points (baseline (before the eccentric bicycling), immediate post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post). Results: The Likert pain scale was different (F = 75.88, p < 0.001) at baseline (0.14 ± 0.36) and immediate post (0.21 ± 0.43), compared to 24 hours post (3.07 ± 0.83), and 48 hours post (2.93 ± 1.07). No changes were reported for creatine kinase (F = 0.7167, p = 0.475), lactate blood concentration (F = 2.313, p = 0.107), or pressure algometry detection. Conclusions: To understand mechanisms of DOMS, there is a need for a consistent, reliable method for producing DOMS. Our eccentric bicycle design and protocol offers an alternative approach to previous eccentric ergometer designs - demonstrating the potential to elicit DOMS in one, five-minute session.