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Biomedical subjects

R J Shephard

Publications and source records attributed to R J Shephard.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Physical capacities of sightless adolescents.

Nineteen sightless children and adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years were tested for physical condition and performance. Their residential school provided four adapted physical education lessons a week, lasting for 45 minutes. Their physical condition and performance was found to be comparable with that of normal sighted children. A supplementary training programme consisting of three extra 60-minute sessions a week for four months to test whether their fitness could be developed further produced only minor changes. It is concluded that a well-designed, adapted physical education programme, in four sessions per week, is sufficient to ensure a normal level of physical condition for sightless children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Gender differences in perceived physical self-efficacy among older individuals.

Gender differences in perceived physical self-efficacy were investigated in 90 subjects, stratified by sex and age (45 to 54 yr., 55 to 64 yr., and 65 to 74 yr.). Application of the scale by Ryckman, Robbins, Thornton, and Cantrell yielded scores for total perceived physical self-efficacy, perceived physical ability, and confidence in physical self-presentation. Men showed greater efficacy than women on the first two scales. There was no evidence of an age effect in perceived physical self-efficacy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Muscle strength and aerobic power--a study of lower-limb disabled males.

The relationship between arm strength and aerobic power (VO2 peak) was examined in 35 lower-limb disabled males. Equations related predicted VO2 peak to simple measurements of isokinetic and/or static strength. Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) showed that after allowance for level of habitual activity and lesion level there was a highly significant relationship between VO2 peak and simple strength measurements (greater for isokinetic than for static data). The findings suggest that in the wheelchair-bound the extent to which arm strength is developed has more impact upon cardiovascular performance than does the anatomical level of the lesion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Psycho-social predictors of exercise intentions among spouses.

Psychosocial predictors of the intention to undertake leisure-time exercise have been studied in 210 couples with children attending grades 7 through 9. For both partners in these households, the variables measured included Fishbein's concepts of beliefs, attitudes and societal norms, in addition to age, education level, current physical activity habits, prior experience of physical activity, and family socio-economic status. Considered together, these observations explained 49% and 27% of the variance in intentions to exercise among male and female partners respectively. In contrast to previous studies using a less structured methodology, attitude was the most important determinant of intention in both male and female partners. In the men only, interaction terms relating to passive forms of spousal support and socio-economic status increased the explained proportion of variance. Differences of beliefs and their evaluations between those with high and low intentions to exercise generally coincided with the patterns previously observed in surveys of exercise class participants. However, there were some persistent culture--related gender differences, women seeking to improve health and control body weight, while men attempted to improve other aspects of their personal appearance and "meet people". Such expectations have important practical implications for the design of fitness promotion programmes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community.

The reliability and concurrent validity of a simple questionnaire to assess leisure time physical activity has been investigated on 306 self-selected healthy adults of both sexes (163 M; 143 F). Values of body fat (BF) and maximum oxygen intake (VO2 max) expressed as percentiles of appropriate age and sex categories were used as criteria of validity for the questionnaire. BF and VO2 max were predicted from the Durnin and Womersley skinfold equations, and the laboratory version of the Canadian Home Fitness Test respectively. The strongest correlation was between VO2 max (percentile) and reported strenuous exercise (r = 0.35). The optimum discriminant function for VO2 max was based on a combination of reported strenuous and light activity. This yielded a correct 2-way classification of 69% of the subjects. A combination of sweat-inducing and moderate exercise yielded a correct 2-way classification of BF for 66% of subjects. The reliability coefficients for the optimum discriminant functions classifying VO2 max and BF were 0.83 and 0.85 respectively. We conclude that this simple instrument has potential value for the assessment of leisure time exercise behavior, offering the possibility of examining changes in behavior following the implementation of health and physical fitness promotion programmes in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Lung function in Canadian Inuit: a follow-up study.

To assess the impact of acculturation on lung function, the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of 341 Inuit at Igloolik, NWT were measured. The same observers had used the same equipment to test 196 subjects in 1970-71. Cross-sectional analysis suggested that, relative to the previous decade, younger subjects had larger lung volumes (with gains of about 10% in FVC and 5% in FEV1), while the elderly had smaller volumes (with losses of about 22% in FVC and 25% in FEV1). Longitudinal analysis confirmed an accelerating loss of lung function in the older subjects: from age 25 to 35 years men and women had a loss in FVC of 13 and 11 mL/yr respectively, whereas from age 45 to 55 years the corresponding figures were 70 and 38 mL/yr. Cigarette smoking had increased substantially among the Inuit over the decade: the proportion of males and females smoking rose from 64% to 81% and from 85% to 93% respectively. Daily cigarette consumption per smoker increased from 11.8 to 20.2 and from 7.4 to 12.0 among men and women respectively. Nevertheless, the main explanation for the shape of the ageing curve is the survival of a small cohort of elderly Inuit with advanced tuberculosis. With control of this disease future cohorts of the elderly will have better lung function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Athletic performance and urban air pollution.

Air pollution may affect athletic performance. In Los Angeles, contaminants include carbon monoxide, ozone, peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN) and nitrogen oxides, whereas in older European cities, such as Sarajevo, "reducing smog" of sulfur dioxide is the main hazard. The carbon monoxide and ozone levels expected in Los Angeles this summer could affect the athletes' performance in endurance events at the Olympic Games. Carbon monoxide may also impair psychomotor abilities, and PAN causes visual disturbances. The only likely physiologic consequence from reducing smog is an increase in the workload of the respiratory system and thus a decrease in endurance performance. While carbon monoxide has been blamed for myocardial infarctions, nitrogen oxides for pulmonary edema and sulfur dioxide for deaths due to respiratory failure, the only illnesses that are likely to be more frequent than usual among young athletes exposed to high levels of these pollutants are upper respiratory tract infections. Therapeutic tactics include the avoidance of pollution, the administration of oxygen, vitamin C and vitamin E, and general reassurance.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1984

Work tolerance and the elderly in a post-industrial society.

The place of the elderly is reviewed in a society where automation is eliminating the demand for physical work. Physiological and social consequences are examined, drawing upon the experience of populations undergoing particularly rapid cultural change. It is argued that an increase of voluntary physical activity can correct many of the health problems arising in a post-industrial society, increasing both the quality and quantity of a worker's remaining years of life.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1984

Normative beliefs of school children concerning regular exercise.

The main purpose of the study was to examine societal norms toward exercise as perceived by school children. To this end, the normative beliefs of specific referents (parents, teachers, and friends) and the motivation to comply with the beliefs of these specific referents were measured in 698 students of both sexes attending grades seven-nine. Results indicated major changes in both normative beliefs and motivation to comply with "significant others" as the children move from grade seven to nine. There also were substantial differences between the results for active and sedentary children. Teachers seem to provide a stable norm, less influenced by the age, sex, and level of physical activity of the student.

Attitude↗
PubMed1984

Ten years of "civilization": fitness of Canadian Inuit.

Data on the cardiorespiratory fitness of the Canadian Inuit has been obtained before and after 10 yr exposure to "white civilization." The population tested comprises 201 males (aged 9-76 yr) and 143 females (aged 10-69 yr), about 70% of the eligible population of Igloolik (69 degrees 40'N). During direct maximum tests to exhaustion, a higher maximum heart rate was attained in 1980-81 (194.4 beats X min-1) than in 1970-71 (184.5 beats X min-1); this probably reflects a closer approach to a centrally limited maximum as the Inuit have become familiar with white investigators. The Astrand nomogram currently underestimates the directly measured maximum O2 intake (VO2max) by some 3% in subjects making a good maximum effort. Comparing the 1980-81 data with results for 1970-71, there has been a 15% decrease of predicted VO2max, accompanied by a 2- to 4-kg increase of body mass, accumulation of subcutaneous fat, and a decrease of leg extension strength, these changes affecting all subjects except boys aged 9-15 yr. It is suggested that the loss of personal fitness is related to adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle, particularly the use of tracked vehicles in place of walking through deep snow.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Management of exercise in the elderly.

The principles of exercise management in the elderly are reviewed from the standpoint of the practising physician. The fitness needs of the older individual are defined, and practical methods of assessment are suggested for both the healthy and the partially disabled senior citizen. Attention should be directed to clinical status, aerobic power, body composition, muscular strength, flexibility, and the electrocardiographic response to vigorous exercise. Fitness standards for the elderly are discussed, and arguments are advanced for improving their personal fitness. Greater activity should prolong independence, improve lifestyle, upgrade moodstate, and help in the prevention of many medical disorders. The exercise prescription must include an adequate warm up and warm down. As condition permits, the aerobic component should be extended to 30 minutes of activity at 60% or more of maximum oxygen intake. Reasons for strengthening specific muscle groups, and methods of reducing the percentage of body fat are considered. Techniques of developing flexibility are presented, and adapted prescriptions are suggested for those with various disabilities. Methods of sustaining motivation are reviewed, and the need for immediate medical supervision of programmes is discussed. Finally, the gains from a training programme are evaluated. Although absolute physiological responses are less than in a younger individual, a suitably graded exercise prescription does much to improve both the physical ability and the mood state of a senior citizen.

Aged↗