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This study investigated how data series length and gaps in human kinematic data impact the accuracy of Lyapunov exponents (LyE) calculations with and without cubic spline interpolation. Kinematic time series were manipulated to create various data series lengths (28% and 100% of original) and gap durations (0.05–0.20 s). Longer gaps generally resulted in significantly higher LyE% error values in each plane in noninterpolated data. During cubic spline interpolation, only the 0.20-second gap in frontal plane data resulted in a significantly higher LyE% error. Data series length did not significantly affect LyE% error in noninterpolated data. During cubic spline interpolation, sagittal plane LyE% errors were significantly higher at shorter versus longer data series lengths. These findings suggest that not interpolating gaps in data could lead to erroneously high LyE values and mischaracterization of movement variability. When applying cubic spline, a long gap length (0.20 s) in the frontal plane or a short sagittal plane data series length (1000 data points) could also lead to erroneously high LyE values and mischaracterization of movement variability. These insights emphasize the necessity of detailed reporting on gap durations, data series lengths, and interpolation techniques when characterizing human movement variability using LyE values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning to walk expands infants' access to the physical environment and prompts changes in their communicative behaviors. However, little is known about whether walking also shapes infants' proximity to their adult social partners during everyday activities at home. Here we followed 89 infants (42 boys, 47 girls; 92% White, not Hispanic or Latino) longitudinally and documented connections between infant locomotion and infant‐adult proximity on two timescales: (1) across developmental time, by comparing data from a session when infants could only crawl to a later session when they could walk (M walk onset = 12.15 months, range = 8‐15); and (2) in real time, by testing whether the amount of time that infants spent in motion (regardless of their locomotor status) related to their interpersonal distance to adults. The developmental transition to walking corresponded to a significant, but modest, decrease in infant‐adult proximity. Infants' moment‐to‐moment locomotion, however, was strongly related to patterns of interpersonal distance: infants who spent more time in motion spent less time near adults and instigated more proximity transitions, resulting in shorter and more dispersed bouts of proximity throughout sessions. Findings shed new light on how infants' motor achievements can reverberate across other domains of development, and how changes in infant development that researchers often observe over months arise from infants' moment‐to‐moment experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We test whether the association between state religiosity and distance traveled is moderated by population age during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Mobility is operationalized as the state-level average median distance traveled from February 24 to May 4 across the contiguous United States. Shelter-in-place rates are operationalized as the state-level percentage of users staying home. State religiosity is measured with an index of aggregated religious identities, beliefs, and practices. Population age is indicated by the state percentage of adults aged 65 years and older. We model population mobility using regression with state clustered robust SE s. Results: We observe that religious states tend to travel more during the early stages of the pandemic. However, the behavioral risks associated with state religiosity are less pronounced in states with larger older populations. Discussion: We contribute to our understanding of the social patterning of pandemic mobility in aging populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although anecdotal evidence indicates the effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) social-distancing policies, their effectiveness in relation to what is driven by public awareness and voluntary actions needs to be determined. We evaluated the effectiveness of the 6 most common social-distancing policies in the United States (statewide stay-at-home orders, limited stay-at-home orders, nonessential business closures, bans on large gatherings, school closure mandates, and limits on restaurants and bars) during the early stage of the pandemic. Methods: We applied difference-in-differences and event-study methodologies to evaluate the effect of the 6 social-distancing policies on Google-released aggregated, anonymized daily location data on movement trends over time by state for all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 6 location categories: retail and recreation, grocery stores and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residences. We compared the outcome of interest in states that adopted COVID-19–related policies with states that did not adopt such policies, before and after these policies took effect during February 15–April 25, 2020. Results: Statewide stay-at-home orders had the strongest effect on reducing out-of-home mobility and increased the time people spent at home by an estimated 2.5 percentage points (15.2%) from before to after policies took effect. Limits on restaurants and bars ranked second and resulted in an increase in presence at home by an estimated 1.4 percentage points (8.5%). The other 4 policies did not significantly reduce mobility. Conclusion: Statewide stay-at-home orders and limits on bars and restaurants were most closely linked to reduced mobility in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the potential benefits of other such policies may have already been reaped from voluntary social distancing. Further research is needed to understand how the effect of social-distancing policies changes as voluntary social distancing wanes during later stages of a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Part I. Focuses on teaching and assessing fundamental locomotor and manipulative skills in elementary education in the United States. Types of teaching materials; Learning tasks for each of the fundamental skills; Facilitation of the assessment process;

Comments on the contribution of pediatrician Sid Robinson and biochemist Lawrence J. Henderson to the field of pediatric exercise in the U.S. Publication of 'Experimental Studies of Physical Fitness in Relation to Age' by Robinson; Justification on the uniqueness of exercise physiology of children by Robinson; Organization of the Harvard University Society of Fellows by Henderson.

Evaluates the use of Computer Science and Applications (CSA) accelerometer in measuring the physical activity of preschool children in the U.S. Correlation between CSA output and Children's Physical Activity Form score; Differences in CSA output between left and right hip; Assessment on the efficacy of CSA as tool for physical activity evaluation.

Investigates the effects of a physical activity program on the activity levels and attraction to physical activity of children in the U.S. Participants of the study; Number of questionnaires completed by the participants; Increase of physical activity levels due to the program.

Objective Gross motor development in early childhood is important in fostering greater interaction with the environment. The purpose of this study is to describe gross motor skills among US children aged 3-5 years using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2). Methods We used 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) data, which included TGMD-2 scores obtained according to an established protocol. Outcome measures included locomotor and object control raw and age-standardized scores. Means and standard errors were calculated for demographic and weight status with SUDAAN using sample weights to calculate nationally representative estimates, and survey design variables to account for the complex sampling methods. Results The sample included 339 children aged 3-5 years. As expected, locomotor and object control raw scores increased with age. Overall mean standardized scores for locomotor and object control were similar to the mean value previously determined using a normative sample. Girls had a higher mean locomotor, but not mean object control, standardized score than boys (p < 0.05). However, the mean locomotor standardized scores for both boys and girls fell into the range categorized as 'average.' There were no other differences by age, race/Hispanic origin, weight status, or income in either of the subtest standardized scores (p > 0.05). Conclusions In a nationally representative sample of US children aged 3-5 years, TGMD-2 mean locomotor and object control standardized scores were similar to the established mean. These results suggest that standardized gross motor development among young children generally did not differ by demographic or weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity and inclusion in Kinesiology is needed to ensure the future professionals of tomorrow engage in recognizing the shared fabric of science and inquiry. Initiatives targeting inclusion and diversity have shown promise in bridging the existing gap. Vital to this process is the role of faculty, administrators and students in providing academic support and paracurricular exposure to the field of Kinesiology. Historical perspectives and knowledge of best practices shape the conversation regarding innovative 21st century options deemed necessary for meeting this challenge. Our review describes programs that strengthen the preparedness of undergraduate students. In addition, we outline existing strategies leading to effective partnerships between undergraduate and graduate institutions. Diversity and inclusion are integral to the achievement of excellence and enhance each institution's ability to accomplish its academic mission and to serve its constituents [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the significance of positional therapy in alleviating the pain of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in the U.S. A study was conducted on 52 patients with spinal stenosis and were examined through spinal imaging and their walking limitations were treated with a wheeled walker to induce lumbosacral flexion. There were improvement in the patient's ambulation wherein 58% classified it as excellent, 13% as good, 16% as moderate and 13% poor. Such kind of therapy is recommended by the North American Spine Society for those who have contraindications to surgery or epidural injections.

The article quantifies the impact of weather on marathon performance for different populations of runners. Marathon results and weather data were obtained for the Boston, New York, Twin Cities, Grandma's, Richmond, Hartford and Vancouver Marathons. There is a progressive slowing of marathon performance as the WGBT increases from 5 to 25 degrees-Celsius. The condition is evident for men and women of wide ranging abilities, but performance is more negatively affected for slower populations of runners.

To examine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of a new self-report measure of mobility function by comparing it with observed mobility, self-reported activity of daily living (ADL) function, and performance-based measures of gait and balance.Cross-sectional study involving two groups of older adults.Community sites in Seattle, Washington, and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.Fifty-four adults aged 70 and older, recruited.Subjects completed the Environmental Analysis of Mobility Questionnaire (EAMQ), reporting frequency of encounter and avoidance of 24 features of the physical environment, grouped into eight dimensions, on two occasions 1 week apart. Subjects were observed and videotaped during six trips into the community; frequency of encounters with environmental features within the eight dimensions was recorded. EAMQ encounter and avoidance scores were compared with observed environmental encounters, with disability in ADLs and instrumental ADLs (IADLs), and lower extremity functional measures including the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the Berg Balance Test.EAMQ test-retest reliability was high for all eight dimensions (intraclass correlation coefficient range=0.81–1.0) and for summary encounter (0.98) and avoidance (0.96) scores. Observed mobility was significantly correlated (Spearman correlation= r) with EAMQ summary encounter (r=0.66) and avoidance (r=−0.58) scores. Moderate correlations were present between the EAMQ (encounter or avoidance) and observed mobility in the distance, temporal, terrain, posture, load, and density dimensions but not in the attention and ambient dimensions. EAMQ encounter/avoidance was significantly associated with ADL and IADL ability and performance on the SPPB and Berg Balance Test.Self-reported frequency of encounter and avoidance of specific environmental features appears to be a valid method for determining environmentally specific mobility disability but needs to be confirmed in a larger sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the proportion of short trips made by walking among Michigan adults and barriers to walking for transportation. Methods. Four questions on walking for transportation were asked of 3808 respondents to the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) between January and December 2001. Results. Three quarters (74.3%) of Michigan adults were estimated to have made at least one short trip (.25-1 mile,) in the previous week; however only 36.2% of them walked even one of these trips. The mean proportion of short trips walked was 21.4%; less than 10% of all respondents walked five or more trips per week. Discussion: Our results provide a Michigan-specific baseline for Healthy People 2010 Objective 22-14 (i.e., increase the proportion of trips made by walking,) and suggest the potential for these questions to be used to monitor active transportation via the BRESS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the unfamiliarity of U.S. citizens with walking. Definition of walking; Reason U.S. citizens consider walking to be most undesirable; Purpose of streets and automobiles.

We evaluated perceived social and environmental supports for physical activity and walking using multivariable modeling. Perceptions were obtained on a sample of households in a south-eastern county. Respondents were classified according to physical activity levels and walking behaviors. Respondents who had good street lighting; trusted their neighbors; and used private recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, and sports fields were more likely to be regularly active. Perceiving neighbors as being active, having access to sidewalks, and using malls were associated with regular walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the movement and mental development of child in the U.S. The author comments that the amount of attention given in modern education to the training of the child's bodily movements is relatively very small. He emphasizes the importance of movements on child's development process.

The article presents a study on the approaches in measuring human travel in the U.S. A group of theoretical physicists use the dispersal of dollar bills within the U.S. as a proxy measurement for human movement. Most cash transactions are carried out locally, but every now and again someone departs and uses the bill at a distant location as a result of the research.