Increased childhood obesity and diabetes is a national concern within the US and this has raised questions about the way in which school systems have traditionally structured physical education (PE) programs. This study investigated the feasibility of using the Polar TriFIT System as part of an initiative to assess the health-related fitness (HRF) of children participating in a middle and high school PE program. Measures of HRF (cardiovascular, muscular, flexibility & body composition) were assessed with the Polar TriFIT System in 4350 students aged 9-18 years (52% boys) from 20 schools in Fargo, North Dakota over a 2-­year period (2004-2005). TriFIT is a self-contained multi-station computerized assessment device with customized software designed to quantify and track measures of HRF and generate individual or group progress reports. In this preliminary analysis, height and weight were obtained to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) scores. Nineteen percent of the boys and 9% of the girls were considered to be overweight according values determined by International Obesity Task Force. The Polar Tri-FIT System appears to be a feasible method of effectively assessing measures of HRF in a time efficient manner during a school PE program. Further analysis of the data will provide a more comprehensive description of the levels HRF in this population. This method of assessment could assist school PE programs in the delivery of HRF interventions.

Standard methods of assessing physical activity (PA) through self-report have not adequately recognized low level activity. Consequently, the modified 7-day Physical Activity Recall (Lo-PAR) Questionnaire has been designed to measure PA regardless of fitness. This study evaluated the validity of Lo-PAR by investigating the relationship between Lo-PAR scores and Functional Aerobic Capacity (FAC) in an apparently healthy population. The PA levels of 80 (53.8% male) apparently healthy volunteers (28 years; SD=8.0) were quantified with the Lo-PAR; an interview-administered recall of the previous week’s sleep and activity at work, in the home and during recreation. Gas analysis during maximal graded cycle ergometer testing was used to determine FAC. The mean Lo-PAR and FAC score was 312 (SD=50.4) MET­-hrs/wk and 44.2 ml• kg-1• min-1 (SD=8.2) respectively. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient identified a significant correlation between Lo-PAR scores and FAC (r=0.71, p=0.003). The Lo-PAR appears to be a valid method of quantifying PA in an apparently healthy population.

An age-related decrease in muscular condition may have a detrimental effect on the physical function of an older person. This study investigated the effect of a 10-wk power training (PT) program versus traditional resistance training (TRT) on physical function, and muscular power and strength in older men. Twenty inactive volunteers (60-76 yrs old) were randomly assigned to a PT group (three 8-10 repetition sets performed as fast a possible at 60% of 1-RM) or a TRT group (three 8-10 repetition sets with 2-3 second contractions at 60% of 1-RM). Both groups exercised 2 days/wk with the same work output. Outcomes were measured with the Rikli & Jones Functional Fitness Test and a bench and leg press test of maximal power and strength (1-RM). Significant differences between and within groups were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). At 10 wks there was a significantly (p<0.05) greater improvement of functional performance in the PT group. Arm curling improved by 50% versus 3% and a 30 second chair-stand improved by 43% versus 6% in the PT and TRT groups respectively. There was also a significantly greater improvement in muscular power (p<0.05) in the PT group. The bench press improved by 37% versus 13%, and the leg press by 31% and 8% in the PT and TRT groups respectively. There was no significant difference between groups in muscular strength. It appears that in older men there may be a significantly greater improvement in physical function and muscular power with power training versus low velocity resistance training.

Following 24 months of the “ADIFIT for L.I.F.E.” programme (Lifestyle Interventions for Employees) 308 subjects (63% of the company), mean age 31.8 years, were administered a comprehensive lifestyle assessment at the Wellness Medical Centre, Adidas U.K. This included nutrition, body composition and blood lipid analyses, resting blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiratory measurements. Each employee undertook a maximal treadmill test using 12 lead ECG/respiratory gas analysis. Employees were then offered a tracked intervention programme, comprising of regular aerobic exercise, nutritional guidance, smoking cessation and weight control. 157 employees (51%) reported an elevated fatty diet (>30% total fat). 159 employees (53%) were overfat (mean 28.9%). 109 employees (36%) recorded an elevated total cholesterol (mean 5.91 mmol/L) 49 (16%) were 2-3 times over normal risk for CHD (NCEP guidelines 1993). 75 employees (24%) recorded mild to severe diastolic blood pressure (mean 94 mmHg) and 22 employees registered positive stress tests (>1mm horizontal/downsloping ST depression), 11 being referred for further cardiac investigation. 231 employees (75%) held physically inactive jobs (0.9-3.0 METS), 93 (30% failing to exceed 9.6 METS during the treadmill test. 138 subjects have been re-assessed, following 12-months of this intervention, recording a lower resting rate pressure product (8538 to 7978 bts/min/mmHg, P<0.001) a lower diastolic blood pressure 5 minutes into recovery (80 to 78 mmHg, P<0.05) and increased treadmill times (16 minutes 10 seconds to 16 minutes 48 seconds, P<0.05). Despite some improvements there is significant cardiovascular risk in this population and continued efforts are needed to improve their profiles.

During the first 12 months of the “ADIFIT for L.I.F.E.” program (Lifestyle Interventions For Employees) 201 subjects (41% of the company), mean age 31.4 years, were administered a comprehensive lifestyle assessment at the Wellness Medical Centre, adidas U.K. headquarters. This included nutrition, body composition and blood lipid analyses, plus resting blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiratory measurements. Then, each employee undertook a maximal treadmill test to volitional exhaustion using full 12 lead ECG/respiratory gas analysis. 102 employees (51%) were overfat (mean 28.7%). 72 employees (36%) recorded an elevated total cholesterol (mean 5.80 mmol.L­1), 26 (13%) of these were 2-3 times the normal risk for coronary heart disease (NCEP guidelines 1993). 45 employees (22%) recorded mild to severe diastolic blood pressure (mean 95 mmHg) and 18 subjects registered positive stress tests (> 1mm horizontal/downsloping ST depression), 10 being referred for further cardiac investigation. 152 employees (76%) held physically inactive jobs (0.9-3.0 METS) and 61 (30%) failed to exceed 9.6 METS during the test. Subsequently, 50 subjects have now been re-assessed 8-12 months later. While their overall profile still carries some significant cardiovascular risk, there have been some improvements reflected in a lower resting rate pressure product (8298 to 7820 bts/min/mm Hg, P<0.05) and lower diastolic blood pressures 2 and 5 minutes into recovery (81 to 78 mm Hg, P<0.05 and 80 to 76 mm Hg, P<0.001 respectively). These changes were accompanied by a significant increase in exercise test time (16.74 to 17.22 minutes, P<0.01). Although this sample has somewhat “healthier” profiles when compared with the general U.K. population, for a young group there is some potentially significant cardiovascular risk. A concerted effort from corporate management and the Wellness Medical Centre is needed, to ensure the company’s cardiovascular risk profile keeps improving.

In order to determine the effects of step aerobic and resistance training on VO2 max and upper body strength in children, five female and twelve male students (12.37+/-1.06 yrs) (M+/-SD) were randomly grouped to an experimental (N=9) and control (N=8) group. VO2 max was determined via open-circuit spirometry using a self-selected running treadmill protocol. Upper body strength was determined via modified push-ups to fatigue and isokinteic testing (Omnitron). The control group was instructed to participate in normal daily activities, including after school sports, while the experimental group engaged in a step aerobic and resistance training program for 40 minutes, three times a week, for 12 weeks. Repeated measures ANOVA (p<0.05) revealed a significant group test effect for VO2 max (p<0.05) (44.2+/-7.6 to 50.1+/-9.7 ml/kg/min) and upper body strength (38.5+/-16.5 to 60.2+/-32.7 push-ups). Isokinetic testing revealed no significant differences. No changes occurred in body composition, however both height and weight increased significantly in experimental and control groups. No injuries were reported in either group. This research concluded that a step aerobic and resistance training program for children is safe and effective at improving cardiorespiratory fitness and upper body strength.