Variability of physical activity patterns by type of day and season in 8-10-year-old boys.
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Child↗
Biomedical subjects
Ann V Rowlands
Publications and source records attributed to Ann V Rowlands.
Comparison of the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage after an initial and repeated bout of plyometric exercise in men and boys.
The purpose of this study was to compare symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage after an initial and repeated bout of plyometric exercise in men and boys. Ten boys (9-10 yr) and 10 men (20-29 yr) completed two bouts of eight sets of 10 plyometric jumps, 2 wk apart. Perceived soreness (0-10, visual analog scale), isometric strength of the quadriceps at six knee flexion angles, and countermovement jump and squat jump height were assessed before and at 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after each bout. All variables followed the expected patterns of change in men, with soreness peaking at 24-48 h (5.8 +/- 1.7) and decrements in muscle function peaking at 30 min after the first bout (73-85% of baseline scores). Symptoms remained for 72 h after the first bout in men. In boys, symptoms were much less severe and peaked at 30 min (visual analog scale = 2.1 +/- 1.8, functional decrements 87-92% of baseline) and, with the exception of soreness, returned to baseline after 24 h. After the second bout of plyometric exercise, the level of soreness and decrements in countermovement jump, squat jump, and isometric strength were lower, although the effect was stronger in men, in all cases. The results of this study suggest that although children may experience symptoms of muscle damage after intensive plyometric exercise, they are much less severe. A prior bout of plyometric exercise also appears to provide children with some protection from soreness after a subsequent bout of plyometric exercise. Explanations for milder symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage in children include greater flexibility leading to less overextension of sarcomeres during eccentric exercise, fewer fast-twitch muscle fibers, and greater and perhaps more varied habitual physical activity patterns.
Adult↗
Comparison of accelerometer and pedometer measures of physical activity in boys and girls, ages 8-10 years.
Accelerometers record total physical activity and time spent at different intensities. Pedometers indicate total activity only. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between pedometer counts and attainment of > or = 60 min of moderate activity. Thirty-four children, ages 8-10 years, wore a Tritrac accelerometer and Yamax pedometer. Published recommendations of steps per day were compared to attainment of > or = 60 min moderate activity. Boys who accumulated 13,000 steps.d(-1) and girls who accumulated 12,000 steps.d(-1) engaged in > or = 60 min moderate activity. However, 23% of boys and 15% of girls did not reach the pedometer thresholds but did engage in > or = 60 min moderate activity. In conclusion, these pedometer thresholds provide a reasonable estimation when assessment of physical activity intensity is not possible.
Acceleration↗
Interactive effects of habitual physical activity and calcium intake on bone density in boys and girls.
The purpose of this study was to assess the interactive effects of habitual physical activity (total and vigorous intensity) and calcium intake on bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubertal boys and girls. Seventy-six children, aged 8-11 yr, wore accelerometers for up to 7 days to assess activity. Calcium intake was estimated by a 4-day weighted food diary. BMC and areal density (bone mineral density) were measured at the total body, proximal femur, and femoral neck by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Moderated regression analyses were used to assess the contributions of physical activity (total and vigorous) and calcium intake to BMC, residualized for bone area and body mass. Interactive effects of vigorous activity (> or =6 metabolic equivalents) and calcium intake were found at the total body in boys (b = 2.90 x 10(-3)) and in girls (b = 6.58 x 10(-3)) and at the proximal femur (b = 9.87 x 10(-5)) and femoral neck (b = 2.29 x 10(-5); where b is the regression coefficient from final equation) in boys only; residualized BMC was high only if both vigorous activity and calcium intake were high. There were no interactive effects of total activity and calcium intake. This study provides evidence for synergistic action of habitual vigorous activity and calcium intake on bone mass in children. Recommendations for optimizing bone mass should reflect this synergism.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Saliva flow rate, total protein concentration and osmolality as potential markers of whole body hydration status during progressive acute dehydration in humans.
OBJECTIVE: To identify whether saliva flow rate, total protein concentration and osmolality are sensitive non-invasive markers of whole body hydration status, we compared changes in these parameters with changes in body mass during progressive acute dehydration. DESIGN: Twelve euhydrated males reported to the laboratory following an overnight fast and cycled on a stationary ergometer at 60% maximal oxygen uptake in an environmental chamber (30 degrees C and 70% RH) until progressive body mass loss (BML) of 1.1+/-0.0, 2.0+/-0.0 and 2.9+/-0.2%. After exercise, subjects were given a volume of carbohydrate electrolyte solution equivalent to 150% BML to consume within 1h. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected over a 2 min period into pre-weighed tubes at pre-exercise, 1.1, 2.0 and 2.9% BML and then at 75, 135 and 195 min post-exercise. RESULTS: Saliva total protein concentration and osmolality increased and flow rate decreased (P<0.01) during dehydration. Saliva total protein concentration and osmolality correlated strongly with % BML during dehydration (mean r=0.97 and 0.94, respectively: P<0.01). The correlation for saliva total protein concentration with % BML was greater (P<0.05) than the correlation for saliva flow rate with % BML (mean r=-0.88: P<0.01) during dehydration. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that changes in saliva total protein concentration and osmolality, and to a lesser extent flow rate, are strongly associated with changes in body mass during progressive acute dehydration.
Acute Disease↗
Intermonitor variability of the RT3 accelerometer during typical physical activities.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and variability of eight RT3 accelerometers. METHODS: The RT3 were subjected to two repeated trials of six activities: rest, walking (4 and 6 km.h-1), running (8 and 10 km.h-1), and sit-stand position (20 min). One person performed all trials (female: age 24 yr, height 158.0 cm, mass 48.2 kg). Each activity lasted 12 min. The middle 10 min were taken from each 12-min trial and used as the output measure (cts.min-1). Data were analyzed for activity ( 6), monitor ( 8), and trial ( 2) effects using four three-way ANOVA: vector magnitude, X (vertical), Y (anterioposterior), and Z (mediolateral) axes. RESULTS: Intermonitor coefficient of variation was <6% during locomotive activities, however, increased to 8-25% during sit-stand. A three-way interaction was found for vector magnitude (F35,315=88945.7, P < 0.001) and Y (F35,315=978435.6, P < 0.001) and Z axes (F35,315=103802.8, P < 0.001). A two-way activity x monitor interaction was found for the X axis (F35,315=1037787.0, P < 0.001). Follow-up tests revealed no differences between trials 1 and 2 for vector magnitude, X and Z axes. One monitor recorded significantly lower activity counts in trial 1 compared with trial 2 along the Y axis. Intermonitor differences were evident at 4, 6, 8, and 10 km.h-1 for the Y and Z axes, and at 6, 8, and 10 km.h-1 for the vector magnitude and X axis. Variability between monitors at each activity increased as intensity increased. CONCLUSION: Reliability of the RT3 is good; however, intermonitor variability exists. The vertical axis of the RT3 accelerometer showed the least variability and was the most reliable. It is recommended that intermonitor variability and reliability of RT3 on each axis be assessed before use.
Acceleration↗
Validation of the RT3 triaxial accelerometer for the assessment of physical activity.
PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess and compare the validity of the RT3 accelerometer for the assessment of physical activity in boys and men, to compare RT3 and Tritrac accelerometer counts, and to determine count cut-off values for moderate (> or =3 < 6 METs) and vigorous (> or =6 METs) activity. METHODS: Nineteen boys (age: 9.5 +/- 0.8 yr) and 15 men (age: 20.7 +/- 1.4 yr) walked and ran on a treadmill, kicked a ball to and fro, played hopscotch, and sat quietly. An RT3 was worn on the right hip; boys also wore a Tritrac on the left hip. Oxygen consumption was expressed as a ratio of body mass raised to the power of 0.75 (S VO2). RESULTS: RT3 counts correlated significantly with S VO2 in boys (r = 0.87, P < 0.01) and men (r = 0.85, P < 0.01). However, during treadmill activities, RT3 counts were significantly higher for boys (P < 0.05). RT3 counts corresponding to "moderate" and "vigorous" activity were similar for boys and men for all activities (moderate = 970.2 for boys and 984.0 for men; vigorous = 2333.0 for boys and 2340.8 for men) but approximately 400 counts lower in men when only treadmill activities were considered. Tritrac counts correlated significantly with S VO2 in boys (r = 0.87, P < 0.01), but were significantly lower than RT3 counts across most activities (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The RT3 accelerometer is a good measure of physical activity for boys and men. However, moderate and vigorous intensity count thresholds differ for boys and men when the predominant activities are walking and running. RT3 counts are significantly higher than Tritrac counts for a number of activities. These findings have implications when comparing activity counts between studies using the different instruments.
Adult↗
Chronic flexibility gains: effect of isometric contraction duration during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques.
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of to isometic contraction durations during propiceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on gains inflexion at the hip. Forty-three women (M age = 20.0 years, SD = 1.3) were assigned to one of three groups: 5-s isometric contraction (5-IC), 10-IC, and control. Flexibility was assessed at baseline and Weeks 3 and 6. Analysis of covariance, controlling for pretest differences, showed a significant interaction, F(2, 33) = 44.1, p < .001. Flexibility was significant lower in the control group relative to the 5-IC and 10-IC groups and in the 5-IC group relative to the 10-IC group at 3 and 6 weeks (3 weeks = 101.2 +/- 1.4 degrees, 114.3 +/- 1.5 degrees, 120.5 +/- 1.3 degrees; 6 weeks = 103.0 +/- 1.4 degrees, 126.1 +/- 1.6 degrees, 133.3 +/- 1.4 degrees for control, 5-IC and 10-IC groups, respectively). A longer contraction time led to greater increases in flexibility.
Adult↗
Technical variability of the RT3 accelerometer.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical performance of the RT3 triaxial accelerometer. METHODS: Twenty-three RT3 accelerometers were subjected to a specific vibration along each sensitive axis in isolation, using a motorized vibration table that produced frequencies of 2.1, 5.1, and 10.2 Hz, respectively. Data were analyzed for frequency and axis effects and inter- and intra-instrument variability. RESULTS: ANOVA showed a frequency by axis interaction (F2.1,36.8 = 19.9, P < 0.001). Post hoc tests revealed the Y axis count to be significantly higher than the X and Z axes counts at 5.1 and 10.2 Hz. There was no difference in counts between axes at 2.1 Hz. Interinstrument coefficients of variation (CV) decreased as frequency increased (21.9 to 26.7% at 2.1 Hz, 6.3 to 9.0% at 5.1 Hz, and 4.2 to 7.2% at 10.2 Hz). The intraclass correlation (ICC) between RT3s was 0.99, regardless of the axis. Intra-instrument CV also decreased as frequency increased (2.1 to 56.2%, 0.3 to 2.5%, and 0.2 to 2.9% at 2.1, 5.1, and 10.2 Hz, respectively. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in counts recorded on the X, Y, and Z axes at 2.1 Hz; however, the counts recorded along the Y axis were significantly higher than the counts at the X and Z axes at 5.1 and 10.2 Hz. Due to large coefficients of variation for both inter- and intra-instrument variability at 2.1 Hz, testing the inter- and intra-instrument variability of the accelerometers before use is recommended.
Acceleration↗