Matching Items (36)
Description
Background: Latinos have disproportionately high rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Family-based interventions may reduce chronic disease risk among Latinos across generations.
Purpose: To assess the efficacy of Athletes for Life (AFL), a 12-week community-and-family-based behavioral intervention, for improving diet, physical activity (PA), anthropometrics, fitness, and biochemical outcomes among mostly Latino parents.
Methods: Parents with at least one child 6-11 years of age were randomized to active AFL participation (n=14) or a wait-list control (n=14) group. AFL consisted of twice weekly 90 minute sessions (45 minutes of nutrition-focused lessons and 45 minutes of PA participation) designed to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, reduction of sugar intake, and increasing habitual PA. Data were collected prior to and immediately after the 12 week intervention.
Results: Participants (37.9±7.2y) were mostly Latino (93%), Spanish speaking (68%), and women (93%). Relative to participants in the control group, AFL participants had a significant reduction in body fat (-1.1±1.2% vs. 0.2±1.2%; p=0.014), resting (-7.6±10.2 bpm vs. +2.1±6.8 bpm; p<0.01), exercise (-8.4±8.7 bpm vs. +0.4±7.3 bpm; p<0.01), and recovery heart rate (-11.9±12.8 bpm vs. -0.3±11.4 bpm; p=0.01), and one mile run time (-1.5±1.0 min vs. -0.1±0.9 min; p<0.01), and a significant increase in estimated VO2 peak (+1.9±1.9 ml/kg/min vs. 0.0±1.8 ml/kg/min; p=0.01). AFL participants also reported an increase in the number of days/week accumulating 30 minutes of MVPA (+0.8±3.2 vs. -1.5±2.3; p=0.004) and daily servings of fruits (+1.3±1.4 vs. +0.3±1.4; p<0.05) and vegetables (+1.8±1.7 vs. +0.1±1.2; p<0.05), relative to control participants. There were no significant differences between groups in changes in diet assessed by 3-day food record, accelerometer-measured PA, weight, blood pressure, visceral fat, biomarkers for cardiovascular disease or nutritional biomarkers.
Conclusions: Despite the lack of effects on diet and PA behaviors, AFL shows promising preliminary efficacy for reducing body fat and improving fitness among adult participants. Future research aimed at improving fitness among Latino parents with family-based intervention is warranted.
Purpose: To assess the efficacy of Athletes for Life (AFL), a 12-week community-and-family-based behavioral intervention, for improving diet, physical activity (PA), anthropometrics, fitness, and biochemical outcomes among mostly Latino parents.
Methods: Parents with at least one child 6-11 years of age were randomized to active AFL participation (n=14) or a wait-list control (n=14) group. AFL consisted of twice weekly 90 minute sessions (45 minutes of nutrition-focused lessons and 45 minutes of PA participation) designed to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, reduction of sugar intake, and increasing habitual PA. Data were collected prior to and immediately after the 12 week intervention.
Results: Participants (37.9±7.2y) were mostly Latino (93%), Spanish speaking (68%), and women (93%). Relative to participants in the control group, AFL participants had a significant reduction in body fat (-1.1±1.2% vs. 0.2±1.2%; p=0.014), resting (-7.6±10.2 bpm vs. +2.1±6.8 bpm; p<0.01), exercise (-8.4±8.7 bpm vs. +0.4±7.3 bpm; p<0.01), and recovery heart rate (-11.9±12.8 bpm vs. -0.3±11.4 bpm; p=0.01), and one mile run time (-1.5±1.0 min vs. -0.1±0.9 min; p<0.01), and a significant increase in estimated VO2 peak (+1.9±1.9 ml/kg/min vs. 0.0±1.8 ml/kg/min; p=0.01). AFL participants also reported an increase in the number of days/week accumulating 30 minutes of MVPA (+0.8±3.2 vs. -1.5±2.3; p=0.004) and daily servings of fruits (+1.3±1.4 vs. +0.3±1.4; p<0.05) and vegetables (+1.8±1.7 vs. +0.1±1.2; p<0.05), relative to control participants. There were no significant differences between groups in changes in diet assessed by 3-day food record, accelerometer-measured PA, weight, blood pressure, visceral fat, biomarkers for cardiovascular disease or nutritional biomarkers.
Conclusions: Despite the lack of effects on diet and PA behaviors, AFL shows promising preliminary efficacy for reducing body fat and improving fitness among adult participants. Future research aimed at improving fitness among Latino parents with family-based intervention is warranted.
ContributorsChavez, Adrian (Author) / Vega-Lopez, Sonia (Thesis advisor) / Crespo, Noe (Committee member) / Hekler, Eric (Committee member) / Shaibi, Gabriel (Committee member) / Bruening, Meg (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
Description
The purpose of the Oculus Exercise research project we conducted was to find a way to entice individuals to attend a gym more often and for longer periods of time. We have found that many activities are being augmented by the increasingly popular virtual reality technology, and within that space "gamifying" the activity seems to attract more users. Given the idea of making activities more entertaining to users through "gamification", we decided to incorporate virtual reality, using the Oculus Rift, to immerse users within a simulated environment to potentially drive the factors previously identified in respect to gym utilization. To start, we surveyed potential users to gauge potential interest in virtual reality and its usage in physical exercise. Based on the initial responses, we saw that there was a definite interest in "gamifying" physical exercises using virtual reality, and proceeded to design a prototype using Unreal Engine 4 -- which is an engine for creating high quality video games with support for virtual reality -- to experiment how it would affect a standard workout routine. After considering several options, we decided to move forward with designing our prototype to augment a spin machine with virtual reality due to its common usage within a gym, and the consistent cardiovascular exercise it entails, as well as the safety intrinsic to it being a mostly stationary device. By analyzing the results of a survey after experimenting upon a user test group, we can begin to correlate the benefits and the drawbacks of using virtual reality in physical exercise, and the feasibility of doing so.
ContributorsCarney, Nicholas (Co-author) / West, Andrew (Co-author) / Dobkins, Jacob (Co-author) / Amresh, Ashish (Thesis director) / Gray, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The 284 residents of the rural community of Cooper Landing, Alaska are subject to many health risks. Cooper Landing is home to a large population of older adults whom suffer from a disproportionate physician to population ratio. Limited rural health care infrastructure and poor physician to population ratios are not conducive to primary health care implementation. Limited access to primary health care is linked to vast health disparities in rural communities like Cooper Landing. Preventive care and healthy lifestyle incentives have been largely overlooked as viable alternatives to primary health care access. In Cooper Landing, implementation of such incentives has proved to be either underutilized or unsuccessful by the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. To remedy this, the Rural Alaska Wellness Project (RAWP), a nonprofit organization, carries out its mission to promote health and wellness by providing a community resource for preventive care in Cooper Landing, Alaska. RAWP intends to increase the availability of the Cooper Landing School's gymnasium for community use, donate fitness equipment, implement TeleHealth initiatives, and host annual health fairs through grant funding, generous donations, and fundraising activities.
ContributorsNolan, Erin Sachi (Author) / Shockley, Gordon (Thesis director) / Hrncir, Shawn (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
For my Honor’s Project for Barrett the Honors College, I chose to research and develop an
application on the topic of Ideal Weightlifting Volume and Frequency for The Male Lifter. The
reason I decided to center my project around this topic is due to the plethora of information
available on this subject matter. However, I was more driven to pursue this subject matter due to
the lack of implementation and usage of all the relevant information and case studies offered to
us through the means of online journals, abstracts, reports, etc.
The application will be programmed using the software known as Android Studio. Inside
Android Studio, the programming language that will be utilized is Java. The goal for this
application is to gather information from the user, and with that information, create a conducive
weekly weightlifting regiment based on the wants and needs of the user. Furthermore, the
application will only create programs on a week to week basis, thus encouraging the user to
dabble with different preferences each week. Outputting the program on a week-to-week basis is
an integral logic of this program because it is my belief that if the user is given the privilege to
change their programming on a weekly basis this will allow for flexibility, adaptability, and the
pursuance of short-term goals, which is much more tangible in the onslaught of obtaining a goal.
When browsing through the app store or the internet, it is incredibly difficult to find online
programs that utilize research and scientific credibility. Many of these programs and trainers
offer quick results that are flashy and trendy, however lack any real qualitative reinforcement.
Thus, it is my mission, with my application, to create a program that is intuitive for the user, as
well as to provide scientific programming with proper citation of case studies and reports
conducted by educated individuals.
application on the topic of Ideal Weightlifting Volume and Frequency for The Male Lifter. The
reason I decided to center my project around this topic is due to the plethora of information
available on this subject matter. However, I was more driven to pursue this subject matter due to
the lack of implementation and usage of all the relevant information and case studies offered to
us through the means of online journals, abstracts, reports, etc.
The application will be programmed using the software known as Android Studio. Inside
Android Studio, the programming language that will be utilized is Java. The goal for this
application is to gather information from the user, and with that information, create a conducive
weekly weightlifting regiment based on the wants and needs of the user. Furthermore, the
application will only create programs on a week to week basis, thus encouraging the user to
dabble with different preferences each week. Outputting the program on a week-to-week basis is
an integral logic of this program because it is my belief that if the user is given the privilege to
change their programming on a weekly basis this will allow for flexibility, adaptability, and the
pursuance of short-term goals, which is much more tangible in the onslaught of obtaining a goal.
When browsing through the app store or the internet, it is incredibly difficult to find online
programs that utilize research and scientific credibility. Many of these programs and trainers
offer quick results that are flashy and trendy, however lack any real qualitative reinforcement.
Thus, it is my mission, with my application, to create a program that is intuitive for the user, as
well as to provide scientific programming with proper citation of case studies and reports
conducted by educated individuals.
ContributorsMallick, Zeeshan Khursheed (Author) / Marsit, Joseph (Thesis director) / Chisum, Jack (Committee member) / Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Workplace injuries, especially those caused by overexertion, are a significant issue among firefighters. This investigation filmed 8 firefighters during simulated firefighting tasks. A detailed movement analysis for each task was completed and used to infer the prime muscles and injury-prone joints during each task. A comprehensive strength training program was developed from this information to help reduce workplace injuries in firefighters.
ContributorsAbel, Morgan Daniel (Author) / Hinrichs, Richard (Thesis director) / Harper, Erin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This paper takes a look at developing a technological start up revolving around the world of health and fitness. The entire process is documented, starting from the ideation phase, and continuing on to product testing and market research. The research done focuses on identifying a target market for a 24/7 fitness service that connects clients with personal trainers. It is a good study on the steps needed in creating a business, and serves as a learning tool for how to bring a product to market.
ContributorsHeck, Kyle (Co-author) / Mitchell, Jake (Co-author) / Korczynski, Brian (Co-author) / Peck, Sidnee (Thesis director) / Eaton, John (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Management (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
One of the great difficulties in leading America to become a healthier nation involves overcoming the socioeconomic disparity that exists between income and health literacy. Impoverished communities consistently lack the proper health education to make quality food purchases and healthy lifestyle choices, leading to higher rates of obesity. Through FitPHX Energy Zones, an after-school program designed to encourage Phoenix youths to lead healthier lifestyles through an innovative use of library spaces, I provided health education and opportunities for physical activity for 8 to 14-year-olds in underserved Phoenix communities. However, although this intervention made significant progress with the kids' health literacy development over the course of the program, it is difficult for community-based intervention programs to continue in the long run due to budget or other extraneous circumstances. Once the program ends, there needed to be a way to continue to reach the kids beyond the scope of the program such that they can continue to experience the lessons taught during the program. Following the conclusion of FitPHX, I created an interactive book for the kids I worked with to help them retain the health and nutrition knowledge taught during the program.
ContributorsBejarano, Michael Carlos (Author) / McCoy, Maureen (Thesis director) / Williams, Deborah (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
A Personal Journey Through Physical Fitness chronicles one individual's academic and physical journey through fitness. An ex college gymnast after exiting formal sports looks to academics for the answers to accomplish the goal of working out one hour a day and feeling as well as being physically fit as a result. This research resulted in finding the five pillars of physical fitness; which are Endurance, Flexibility, Strength, Balance, and Agility. After determining that these were the five primary pillars of physical fitness a workout plan was made based on and focused on improving them. This work out plan included running and hiking for endurance, high intensity interval training for agility, endurance and strength, stretching at the end of every work out, and a weightlifting program that utilized push, pull, and lower body days. It also utilized yoga for flexibility, recovery, and balance. Additionally, gymnastic ring strength was included to help develop balance and strength. Then a four-week trial period was executed taking measurements at the beginning and end of the plan. The results of the five-pillar plan were quantified using physical metrics. There was improvement in all of the pillars: Endurance, Flexibility, Strength, Balance, and Agility. However it should be noted there was not a direct measure for balance making its improvement much more subjective and qualitative than quantitative. In addition to having physical metrics of health and increased fitness there were mental side effects such as of feeling good and more relaxed throughout the process. At the end of each week of the four-week workout trial mental and physical feelings were recorded and included in the study. The method and plan were successful and created in a way that others could follow this four-week plan to improve their own physical health.
ContributorsVlastos, Joseph Nicholas (Author) / Kaplan, Robert (Thesis director) / Roses-Thema, Cynthia (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
My thesis was designed as a creative project. My overall mission was to develop an idea that involved both my major in marketing and minor in health and wellness. My topic was how to start... a start-up business. My business, PEAK4U, is a professional fitness center that provides classes in therapeutic yoga, meditation, Physical Therapy, massage, and personal training. The customers are other business entrepreneurs who would like to provide their service at our facility. I obtained an LLC, Articles of Organization, and started a bank account for PEAK4U. I located a space to house all of these activities where I charge 25$ per hour no matter what service they provide. I have created a website that provides all the information on our instructors, classes, products we sell, and an area where instructors can apply online. This idea has been developed over my four-year academic career at ASU. A few of my honors classes here at Barrett have given me the knowledge in how to start a business. With the help from my director John Dietrich and my committee member Tiffany Gray, I was given insight from both the business and fitness sides on how to create this business. This thesis was designed to help finance doctorate school in Physical Therapy and help me to gain experience in a field that I am passionate about. Overall, the creation of this business was not very time consuming because our entrepreneurs are accountable for creating their own marketing, but must pass it through me for approval.
ContributorsGuido, Trevi (Author) / Dietrich, John (Thesis director) / Gray, Tiffany (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this randomized parallel two-arm trial was to examine the effect that an intervention of combining daily almond consumption (2.5 ounces) with a walking program would have on heart rate recovery and resting heart rate when compared to the control group that consumed a placebo (cookie butter) in men and postmenopausal women, aged 20-69, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Design: 12 men and women from Phoenix, Arizona completed an 8-week walking study (step goal: 10,000 steps per day). Subjects were healthy yet sedentary, non-smokers, free from gluten or nut allergies, who had controlled blood pressure. At week 5, participants were randomized into one of two groups: ALM (2.5 oz of almonds daily for last 3 weeks of trial) or CON (4 tbsp of cookie butter daily for last 3 weeks of trial). Body weight, BMI, and percent body fat were measured using a stadiometer and Tanita at the screening visit. Resting heart rate, heart rate recovery, and anthropometric measurements were taken at weeks 0, 5, and 8.
Results: 8 weeks of walking 10,000 steps per day, with or without 3 weeks of almond consumption did not significantly improve heart rate recovery (p=0.818) or resting heart rate (0.968).
Conclusions: Almond consumption in combination with a walking intervention does not significantly improve heart rate recovery or resting heart rate.
Objective: The purpose of this randomized parallel two-arm trial was to examine the effect that an intervention of combining daily almond consumption (2.5 ounces) with a walking program would have on heart rate recovery and resting heart rate when compared to the control group that consumed a placebo (cookie butter) in men and postmenopausal women, aged 20-69, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Design: 12 men and women from Phoenix, Arizona completed an 8-week walking study (step goal: 10,000 steps per day). Subjects were healthy yet sedentary, non-smokers, free from gluten or nut allergies, who had controlled blood pressure. At week 5, participants were randomized into one of two groups: ALM (2.5 oz of almonds daily for last 3 weeks of trial) or CON (4 tbsp of cookie butter daily for last 3 weeks of trial). Body weight, BMI, and percent body fat were measured using a stadiometer and Tanita at the screening visit. Resting heart rate, heart rate recovery, and anthropometric measurements were taken at weeks 0, 5, and 8.
Results: 8 weeks of walking 10,000 steps per day, with or without 3 weeks of almond consumption did not significantly improve heart rate recovery (p=0.818) or resting heart rate (0.968).
Conclusions: Almond consumption in combination with a walking intervention does not significantly improve heart rate recovery or resting heart rate.
ContributorsMcElaney, Elizabeth Anne (Author) / Johnston, Carol S (Thesis advisor) / Lespron, Christy L (Committee member) / Sweazea, Karen L (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2016