Comparing mental health and well-being of US undergraduate and graduate students during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study explored how COVID-related mental health and well-being varied between undergraduate and graduate students. Relationships with physical health behaviors were also examined. Participants: Undergraduate (n = 897) and graduate (n = 314) students were recruited from three US universities between mid-April and late-May 2020. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional survey self-reported perceived stress, financial stress, resilience, repetitive negative thinking, mood, anxiety, diet, sleep, and physical activity using validated instruments. Results: Undergraduate students reported more perceived stress, more repetitive negative thinking, less positive mood, and less support from professors than graduate students. Perceived stress, repetitive negative thinking, negative mood, and anxiety increased among all students (p < .05 for all). Correlations between mental health outcomes and physical health behaviors were weak to moderate (r = .08 to .49). Conclusions: College students, particularly undergraduates, perceived negative mental health impacts during COVID. Creative approaches for meeting student needs are necessary.

Animated Case Study Videos: A Creative Approach for Exploring Health in the High School to College Transition.

While the college years present an ideal time for chronic disease prevention, students often do not seek services or perceive themselves to be at health risk. Researchers at Bowling Green State University have been exploring the health patterns of first-year university students for several years, initially as a health-based research study (August 2012 to May 2016) and currently through a first-year seminar course for students transitioning from high school to college (August 2016 to present). This article describes the evolution of data sharing techniques from passively presented paper feedback sheets (focusing on individual health assessments) to highly interactive classroom discussions stemming from viewings of animated case study videos (designed based on whole group themes). Qualitative feedback from students and faculty has been positive, suggesting that animated case study videos are an effective strategy for engaging students in critical thinking about physical and mental health concerns affecting their peer group. Practical recommendations for using animated case studies in diverse educational settings are provided.

Weight gain in first-semester university students: Positive sleep and diet practices associated with protective effects.

For university students, alterations in sleep and diet quality are common, and the propensity for weight gain is well established. The role of sleep duration during periods of rapid weight gain is understudied. This study explored the relationships between sleep duration, diet patterns, and body composition in first-year university students. Data collection occurred during the beginning of the fall (August) and spring semesters (January). Anthropometric measures included weight, height, and percent body fat (%BF). Survey questions assessed sleep and diet quality. As a group, participants (N = 60) gained weight (1.8 ±â€¯2.1 kg) over the 4.5-month period of study. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identified three groups based on weight change between baseline and follow-up visits. Group 1 ("maintainers") (N = 21) gained 0.1 ±â€¯1.3 kg, group 2 ("modest gainers") (N = 24) gained 2.0 ±â€¯1.7 kg, and group 3 ("major gainers") (N = 15) gained 3.8 ±â€¯1.8 kg. No differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), %BF, or average sleep duration existed between clusters at baseline. Minimal differences in baseline dietary behaviors between groups were noted other than maintainers used more fat, e.g., butter, to season vegetables, bread, and potatoes compared to modest gainers (p = .010). At follow-up, sleep duration significantly decreased from baseline among major gainers (7.1 ±â€¯0.7 vs. 6.8 ±â€¯0.7 h, p = .017) while sleep duration increased from baseline among maintainers (7.3 ±â€¯0.9 vs. 7.6 ±â€¯1.0 h, p = .048). Sleep duration at follow-up was significantly shorter among major gainers compared to maintainers (p = .016). Total diet scores for maintainers and modest gainers improved between visits (p = .038 and 0.002, respectively) but did not change among major gainers. Combining sleep and diet education may increase the effectiveness of interventions designed to mitigate weight gain in this high-risk population.

Comparison of Body Composition Measurements in Lean Female Athletes.

This study compared body composition measurements in lean female athletes. The primary objective was to compare the accuracy of percent body fat (%BF) determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), air-displacement plethysmography (ADP), and underwater weighing (UWW) in female Division I cheerleaders (n = 10 bases, 6 back-spots, and 12 flyers) from two universities. The secondary objective was to compare health risk predicted by %BF to body mass index (BMI) categorizations. UWW was considered the gold standard for assessing %BF. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between methods. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to identify differences in %BF by method. BIA, ADP, and UWW were highly correlated (r ≥ .828, p < .001 for all). However, %BF by BIA (20.0 ± 5.2%) and ADP (19.3 ± 6.0%) was higher than %BF by UWW (15.9 ± 4.1%, p < .001). Health risk was predicted less often when classified based on very lean (risky low) %BF levels by BIA and ADP than UWW (7.1%, 3.6%, and 21.4%, respectively). This finding suggests that, similar to female track-and-field athletes who also exhibit lean muscular physiques, %BF is overestimated by BIA and ADP in female cheerleaders and health risk associated with low %BF is underestimated when compared to UWW. In contrast, BMI was not associated with %BF by any method and no participants were classified as underweight by this measure. Thus, BMI should not be used to predict health risk in lean female athletes, such as collegiate cheerleaders.

First-Year University Students Who Self-Select into Health Studies Have More Desirable Health Measures and Behaviors at Baseline but Experience Similar Changes Compared to Non-Self-Selected Students.

Studies demonstrate that first-year university students are at high risk for weight gain. These reports typically rely on self-selected participants. The purpose of this study was to explore if students who chose to participate in a health-based research study had more desirable health measures and behaviors than students who completed health assessments as part of a first-year seminar course. Health measures included blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), and percent body fat. Health behaviors included dietary patterns (Starting the Conversation questionnaire) and alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption). A total of 191 (77% female) participants completed testing in the self-selected "Health Study" group, whereas 73 of the 91 students (80%, 55% female) enrolled in the "Seminar" allowed their data to be used for research purposes. Baseline measures favored Health Study participants, including but not limited to fewer participants with undesirable BMI (≥25.0 kg/m²; males and females) and a smaller percentage of participants with undesirable BP (systolic ≥120 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥80 mmHg; females only). Differences in dietary behaviors at baseline were inconsistent, but Seminar students engaged in more problematic alcohol-use behaviors. While both groups experienced undesirable changes in health measures over time, the degree of change did not differ between groups. Changes in health behaviors over time typically resulted in undesirable changes in the Seminar group, but the magnitude of change over time did not differ between groups. Thus, results from first-year university students who self-select into health studies likely underestimate the seriousness of undesirable health measures and behaviors but may accurately reflect the degree of change over time.

The Impact of an Active Lifestyle on the Functional Fitness Level of Older Women.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that to maintain health, adults should engage in 150 min of moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the lowest MVPA dose possible to maintain functional fitness. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test in 101 women (75.0 ± 7.2 years) from two Midwestern communities. Accelerometer determined daily activity level was assessed for 7 days as participants went about their normal daily activities. MVPA was determined via proprietary filtering, and time spent in this intensity was calculated. A 5-day average of time spent in MVPA was organized into four groups. ANOVAs revealed significant differences between activity groups on all functional fitness measures except back scratch and sit and reach. Results indicate that to maintain lower body function in older women, a threshold of 20 min/day of MVPA for 5 days is needed.

Relationship Between Body Fat and Physical Fitness in Army ROTC Cadets.

The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), including timed push-ups, sit-ups, and run, assesses physical performance for the Army. Percent body fat is estimated using height and circumference measurements. The objectives of the study were to (a) compare the accuracy of height and circumference measurements to other, more accepted, body fat assessment methods and (b) determine the relationships between body composition and APFT results. Participants included Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets (n = 11 males, 2 females, 21.6 ± 3.5 years) from a midwestern university). At one visit, percent body fat was assessed using height and circumference measurements, air-displacement plethysmography, and bioelectrical impedance analysis. APFT results were provided by the ROTC director. All assessment methods for percent body fat were strongly associated (r ≥ 0.7, p < 0.01), implying that height and circumference measurement is a practical tool to estimate percent body fat of ROTC cadets. Total APFT score was not associated with any body fat assessment method. Push-up number was negatively associated with percent body fat by all assessment methods (r ≥ -0.8, p = 0.001), although run time was positively associated (r ≥ 0.6, p < 0.05). This suggests that percent body fat may be an important variable in determining or improving cardiovascular and muscular endurance, but not APFT performance.

Validation of Self-Reported Anthropometrics in Female College Freshmen.

Most investigations concerning the validity of self-reported anthropometrics focus on weight, height, and body mass index. This study extends those investigations by exploring the impact of self-reporting bias on the disease risk indicators of waist circumference and body fat percentage. Female college freshmen (n=128) self-reported weight and height, then underwent measurements for weight, height, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Self-reporting bias was defined as self-reported minus directly-assessed anthropometric value. Despite no differences in self-reported versus directly-assessed weight or height for the total group, students with high waist circumference and excess fat under-reported their weight by 2.3±4.4 lb (p<0.05). Self-reporting bias was negatively correlated with waist circumference (r=-0.362; p<0.001) and body fat percentage (r=-0.317; p<0.001). Although many female college freshmen accurately represent their weight, those with excess fat and waist circumference under-reported their weight. This may lead to missed opportunities for risk identification, prevention, and intervention.

Comparison of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak Performance on a Motorized vs. a Nonmotorized Treadmill.

Morgan, AL, Laurent, CM, and Fullenkamp, AM. Comparison of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak performance on a motorized vs. a nonmotorized treadmill. J Strength Cond Res 30(7): 1898-1905, 2016-Despite growing popularity of nonmotorized treadmills (NMTs), little data exist regarding responses during exercise testing using this equipment, which is important when providing an appropriate exercise prescription. The purpose of this study was to evaluate physiological and perceptual responses during peak graded exercise tests (GXTs) on a motorized treadmill (MT) vs. NMT. Volunteers (12 men and 12 women aged 18-35 years) performed 2 peak GXT sessions (1 MT and 1 NMT). Respiratory gases and heart rate (HR) were collected each minute; perceptual response was estimated (Borg's 6-20 rating of perceived exertion [RPE] scale) during the final 10 seconds of each stage. Peak values (i.e., V[Combining Dot Above]O2, HR, speed) were determined during the final 10 seconds of each test; ventilatory threshold (VT) was assessed using the V-slope method. Paired t-tests matching variables measured at each stage of the GXT identified significantly higher values on the NMT for V[Combining Dot Above]O2 83% of the time, HR 67% of the time, and RPE 25% of the time. Interestingly though, neither peak V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (48.6 ± 9.2 ml·kg·min vs. 47.8 ± 8.9 ml·kg·min), peak HR (185 ± 9 b·min vs. 188 ± 10 b·min; p = 0.90), nor VT (72.7 ± 5.7% vs. 73.8 ± 5.4%) were significantly different on the NMT vs. the MT. However, significant differences were identified between NMT and MT tests for time to exhaustion (9:55 ± 1:49 vs. 12:05 ± 2:48; p < 0.01) and peak speed (8.0 ± 0.9 mph vs. 9.2 ± 1.4 mph; p < 0.01). Thus, although peak values obtained were similar between testing sessions on the NMT and MT, the majority of submaximal data were significantly different between trials. These differences are important when designing exercise prescriptions using submaximal values from NMT testing that may be inappropriately high or low at corresponding intensities during training.

Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Executive Function in Older Women.

Acute aerobic exercise may increase cognitive processing speed among tasks demanding a substantial degree of executive function. Few studies have investigated executive function after acute exercise in older adults across various exercise intensities. Healthy females 60-75 years of age (n = 11) who were not on medications completed 20-min exercise sessions at a moderate (50%VO2max) exercise intensity and a vigorous (75%VO2max) exercise intensity. Modified flanker tasks (reaction times) and d2 tests of sustained and selective attention (components of executive function) were completed before, immediately after, and 30-min post-exercise. Results indicated that older adult females had improved scores on the modified flanker task reaction times (RTT, RTI, RTC) and d2 tests immediately after both moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic exercise. Some of these effects were maintained 30 min post-exercise. These findings suggest that an acute bout of exercise, regardless of intensity, can improve performance on tests of executive function in older women. Key pointsFew studies have investigated the effects of the intensity of exercise on executive function in older womenExecutive function improved after 20-min of aerobic exercise regardless of exercise intensity in older womenFindings from the study were not confounded by prescribed medications; all participants who were older women were not taking any medications.

Metabolic demands of law enforcement personal protective equipment during exercise tasks.

Many occupations require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) but the added metabolic demands are unknown for certain professions. The purpose of this study was to quantify metabolic and perceptual differences between activity with and without the PPE ensemble required for police officers. Twelve participants were asked to complete experimental and control exercise sessions consisting of three modes of exercise (walking, jogging and stepping). A significant main effect (p < 0.01) for gear was found for heart rate (beats per minute) and VO2 (L/min) between conditions. Dependent t-tests revealed significant differences for perceived effort, discomfort and session rating of perceived exertion between trials. Medium to large effect sizes for all variables with significant main effects between modes (p < 0.01, η2 = 0.51-0.96, 1-ß = 0.98-1.0, d = 0.42-2.7) were observed. These findings help to increase awareness of how PPE affects metabolic demands and perception of discomfort during exercise.

Power, fatigue, and recovery changes in national collegiate athletic association division I hockey players across a competitive season.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in pre- to postseason power output, fatigue, and recovery during a repeated sprint test. Twenty National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's hockey athletes performed identical sessions of repeated sprint work pre- and postseason. The repeated sprint test consisted of 5 sets of 45 seconds of repeated sprint work with 90 seconds of rest in between each series of sprints. Power output (W), decrement, and recovery scores (RECs) were determined using raw data from a nonmotorized treadmill. Ratings of perceived exertion were recorded after, and perceived readiness (PR) recorded before, each series of sprints. Mean power was significantly higher in preseason vs. postseason performance during sprint 1 (760.6 vs. 691.3 W; p = 0.03), sprint 2 (719.9 vs 657.0 W; p = 0.05), sprint 4 (648.4 vs 588.9 W; p = 0.04), and sprint 5 (656.6 vs. 586.8 W, p = 0.04). Ratings of perceived exertion were significantly higher during sprints 3, 4, and 5 postseason with PR significantly higher (indicating less readiness) before sprints 3 and 4. There were no significant differences in REC or decrement score. Overall, athletes were unable to maintain power during subsequent repeated sprint work during postseason. The degree to which the athletes fatigued and recovered between sprints did not change between pre- and postseason testing, however, athletes exhibit increased perceptual strain during the repeated sprint work. These data indicate meaningful performance and perceptual differences throughout the competitive season in collegiate-level hockey players.

An evaluation of upper-body muscle activation during coupled and uncoupled instability resistance training.

Recently, there has been a growth in the popularity of resistance exercises performed on unstable surfaces. However, the relationship between unstable surface training and load coupling on muscle activation is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in muscle activation during a barbell (BB) (coupled) and dumbbell (DB) (uncoupled) chest press exercise performed on an unstable surface. The 3 specific chest press conditions included 50% 1 repetition maximum (RM) with BB (50% BB), 50% 1RM with DBs (50% DB), and 25% 1RM with DBs (25% DB). Ten male subjects participated in the study (age, 23.9 ± 2.6 years; body weight, 82.8 ± 10.2 kg). During testing, mean electromyographic activity was assessed for pectoralis major (PM), triceps brachii, anterior deltoid (AD), and rectus abdominis (RA) and was presented as a percent change across the lifting conditions. It was observed that muscle activation increased by 15% in both the PM and RA from the 50% BB condition to the 50% DB condition. Also, the greatest percent difference in muscle activation between the 50 and 25% DB conditions occurred for PM and AD (+54% during 50% DB). These results suggest that demands on the core musculature to provide stability are increased with the use of DBs (uncoupled) as opposed to a BB (coupled). Where instability training provides a sufficient hypertrophy stimulus in prime mover muscle groups, there may be the added benefit of core stability training. Specifically, this type of training may benefit both untrained persons and those engaged in active rehabilitation.

Activity-related energy expenditure in older adults: a call for more research.

The purposes of this article were to 1) provide an overview of the science of physical activity-related energy expenditure in older adults (≥65 yr), 2) offer suggestions for future research and guidelines for how scientists should be reporting their results in this area, and 3) present strategies for making these data more accessible to the layperson. This article was meant to serve as a preliminary blueprint for future empirical work in the area of energy expenditure in older adults and translational efforts to make these data useful and accurate for older adults. This document was based upon deliberations of experts involved in the Strategic Health Initiative on Aging Committee of the American College of Sports Medicine. The article was designed to reach a broad audience who might not be familiar with the complexities of assessing energy expenditure, especially in older adults.

Walking toward a new me: the impact of prescribed walking 10,000 steps/day on physical and psychological well-being.

PURPOSE: To determine whether individuals participating in a program designed to accumulate 10,000 steps/ day demonstrate health, fitness and psychological benefits. METHODS: Sedentary individuals (22 F, 7 M; age 59.8 +/- 5.78 yr) were randomly assigned into a walking (W, n = 14) or control (C, n = 15) group. Following baseline assessment, the W group was given a daily plan to reach 10,000 steps/day within 3 weeks and asked to maintain this level for 12 weeks; the C group was asked to maintain their current activity. Participants were evaluated for cardiovascular endurance, resting and postexercise HR, functional ability, cholesterol, psychological well-being, and exercise self-efficacy before and following the 15-week program. RESULTS: Significant changes over time were noted between groups (G x T; P < .05) with the W group demonstrating improvements in postexercise HR (-6.51%), total cholesterol (TC: -7.74%), and personal growth (2.53%). While not statistically significant, the W group also demonstrated improvements in 6 min walk distance (2.32%), total/HDL ratio (-10.09%), 8 foot up-and-go time (-3.35%), chair stands (6.17%), flexibility (128%), and environmental mastery (4.54%). CONCLUSION: A 15-week program aimed at accumulating 10,000 steps/day improves cardiovascular performance and personal growth and also positively influences many variables that are indicators of health, fitness and psychological well-being.

Structured Exercise in Older Adults With Limited Functional Ability: Assessing the Benefits of an Aerobic Plus Resistance Training Program

The authors of this study examined the effects of a 16-week exercise program designed to increase aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and muscular endurance in older adults who reported and exhibited limited functional ability. Participants were randomly assigned to either an exercise (n=39) or a control (n=34) group. Dependent variables tested included measures of fitness (aerobic exercise capacity and isokinetic strength testing of the legs and arms) and measures of functional capacity (time to and off the floor, stair test, chair stand, and bicep curl). At the end of the program, there were significant differences between the exercise and control groups in arm strength, chair stand, and biceps curl. The results of this study indicate functionally limited older adults who maintain a structured exercise program for 16 weeks exhibit increased functional ability.

The impact of exercise training on blood lipids in older adults.

Increasing physical activity is often prescribed to improve blood lipids; however, the efficacy of exercise in improving blood lipids in older adults is not clear. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different exercise modes on blood lipid levels in previously sedentary older adults engaging in a 16-week exercise intervention. One hundred thirty-one subjects (mean age 74.6+/-6 years) were randomly assigned to a resistance training group, aerobic walking group, combined exercise group, or nonexercising control group. Blood lipids were measured at baseline, 8 weeks, and postintervention. Exercise mode did not impact blood lipids. All groups had lower lipid levels over time. Total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were significantly lower. The decrease in all groups, including the controls, may be due to a seasonal effect in older adults that has been documented in younger individuals.

Exercise and functional tasks among adults who are functionally limited.

This study compared the efficacy of 16 weeks of either resistance training, aerobic walking, or combined resistance training and aerobic walking on the performance of functional tasks among adults age 65 years and older with limited functional ability. One hundred thirty-one older adult individuals were randomized into four groups: resistance training, aerobic walking, combined resistance and aerobic walking groups, or a nonexercise control group. Each of the exercise groups documented 70% compliance with their respective exercise intervention, which included three weekly exercise sessions. At baseline, and 8 and 16 weeks following baseline, all participants completed six assessments of their functional ability. Analysis of covariance indicated that all three exercise intervention groups significantly improved measures of functional ability, with the resistance group demonstrating the most consistent gains over the six measures. These findings indicate that older adults who are functionally limited can improve their functional ability through a variety of types of exercise.

Hydration status of community-dwelling seniors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dehydration is the most common fluid or electrolyte disorder among older persons. This study was designed to examine the hydration status of community-dwelling seniors. METHODS: Blood and urine samples were collected from 67 independently living volunteers (65-93 yrs) who had functional limitations but no condition that contraindicated 10 min of moderate exercise. Forty-six subjects who were not diabetic, had fasted for 12 hours, and had blood glucose levels < or = 115 mg/dL were thus included. Urine and serum samples were analyzed for osmolality (mosm/kg), Na+ (mmol/L) and K+ (mmol/L). Whole blood was analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb, g/dL) and hematocrit (Hct, %) and urine for specific gravity (USG). Means and standard deviations for the current data were compared with normal values. RESULTS: All values were within normal ranges except urine osmolality. CONCLUSIONS: While changes associated with aging may predispose an individual to dehydration, functionally limited, independently living older individuals demonstrate normal hydration status following a 12-hr fast. This suggests that dehydration is not solely a function of the aging process, but may be more related to concomitant medical conditions or dependent living.