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Strength and conditioning professionals require time efficient and effective means of evaluating the characteristics of muscular force expression among athletes. Two such methods, the DSI and the lower-body F-v profile, are used to guide the direction of training towards more velocity-dependent (i.e. ballistic strength) methods of training or towards more force-dependent (i.e. maximal strength) methods of training. While the use of both of these protocols have been recommended in the literature for a similar purpose, little research has been done in evaluating the relationship between the results of both protocols. Eighty-six resistance-trained individuals were recruited to perform both the DSI testing and F-v profile testing protocols to evaluate this relationship, as well as relationships between the components that compose each test. Correlations were calculated between DSI, F-v profile slope, countermovement jump (CMJ) peak force (PF), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) PF, and CMJ peak velocity (PV) across a series of loading conditions from an unloaded CMJ to an additional 100% bodyweight (BW) CMJ condition. No significant correlations were found between the DSI value and the F-v profile slope. Significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between the DSI and CMJ/IMTP PF. Significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between CMJ/IMTP PF and measures of CMJ PV across the loading conditions. These results suggest that the DSI is not correlated to the F-v profile slope, however measures of performance used for the evaluations are significantly correlated.

Background: Engaging patients in health research can align study questions and research designs with relevant priorities. Priorities for exercise-related research for persons living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) remain unclear. Methods: Individuals with lived experience of T1D were engaged in a modified James Lind Alliance process to identify research priorities in T1D and exercise. An online survey gathered research questions from patients, caregivers and healthcare providers across Canada. Submissions were qualitatively analyzed and the resulting long-list was distributed to a 12-person stakeholder steering committee. Members individually ranked their top ten questions and rankings were collated to create a short-list, discussed in a final workshop. Results: 115 individuals across Canada completed the survey, yielding 194 research questions. After qualitative analysis, 38 questions were long-listed and following committee ranking, 24 questions were short-listed for workshop discussions. The top 10 were: (1) What explains the individual variation in the response to exercise?; (2) Which is the best for maintaining glycemic stability and glucose tolerance: aerobic training, strength training, or a combination of both? If a combination, does the order matter?; (3) What modes of exercise produce the best health benefits while maintaining tight glycemic control?; (4) What dietary plans can safely and effectively be followed for an active lifestyle in type 1 diabetes without compromising pre- and post-exercise glycemic control?; (5) What is the optimal time of day and exercise prescription (example: how often, what type, how intense) in order to maintain ideal glycemic control and insulin sensitivity?; (6) What is the best method of preventing post-exercise hypo- or hyperglycemia?; (7) Will certain glycemic ranges before starting exercise consistently result in hypo- or hyperglycemia?; (8) What effect can various levels of hydration have on blood sugar levels during and aft

The influence of social media on visitor satisfaction is an area limited in investigation and has important implications for tourism management professionals/organizations. Using del Bosque and San Martín’s cognitive-affective model of tourist satisfaction, this study investigated how viewing trip-related social media during the pre-trip phase of travel influenced satisfaction. Churchill, a renowned tourism destination, was the site used for exploration. Sixteen participants were recruited post-visit in August 2016 at the Churchill Airport and train station. The study followed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews ranging 20-30 minutes. The findings indicate that viewing social media can influence satisfaction, however only when travelers view components of a destination that are important to them in achieving satisfaction. This suggests that Martilla and James’ importance performance analysis (IPA) model may better explain satisfaction than del Bosque and San Martín’s model. Future studies verifying that the IPA model is the best fit would be beneficial.

Ingrid Bezerra Barbosa Costa,1,2 Daniel Schwade,2 Geovani Araújo Dantas Macêdo,1,2 Rodrigo Alberto Vieira Browne,3,2 Luiz Fernando Farias-Junior,3,2 Yuri Alberto Freire,1,2 Júlio Sócrates,3,2 Kevin F Boreskie,4,5 Todd A Duhamel,4,5 Eduardo Caldas Costa1–31Department of Physical Education, Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; 2Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; 3Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; 4Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; 5Faculty of Kinesiology & Recreation Management, Health, Leisure, and Human Performance Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaPurpose: Acute reduction in blood pressure (BP) following an exercise session is evidenced in controlled settings with formal supervision in hypertensive older populations. This study investigated the effect of a self-selected exercise (SSE)-intensity session on ambulatory BP in hypertensive older women in a “real-world” setting.Methods: Twenty inactive older women with hypertension (64.9±4.5 years) were included in this randomized, controlled, crossover trial. After baseline assessments, participants performed 30 minutes of an SSE-intensity session on an outdoor track and a control session, separated by 7-10 days. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective response were assessed. Ambulatory BP was monitored for 20 hours following both sessions. Paired t-tests and generalized estimation were used for data analysis.Results: Participants exercised at 5.1±1.1 km/h, spent ∼90% of the exercise time at moderate–vigorous intensity (≥40% of heart rate reserve). SSE-intensity session was re

Background: Women face significant threat from cardiovascular disease (CVD), and this threat increases with age. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to reduce the risk of CVD in women; furthermore, self-efficacy has been identified as a strong predictor of whether a woman will engage in this health behavior. Purpose: To explore the relationship between women’s risk for CVD and self-efficacy beliefs in relation to the behavior of physical activity. Methods: The Health Promotion Model was used to guide the retrospective, cross-sectional study. The sample (n=120) included participants from the Happy Hearts Health Promotion Program (HHHPP), an intervention study aimed at improving cardiovascular risk for CVD. Baseline data was analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Results: On average, the women in this sample were 68 years old, overweight, highly educated, and highly active. Bivariate analyses revealed no significant correlation between cardiac risk and self-efficacy, but a positive correlation was identified between BMI and frailty, and a general decline in walking activity (6MWT) with increasing age. In regression analysis, frailty emerged as a significant predictor of the total and subtypes of Multidimensional Self-Efficacy for Exercise (R²= 2.9%-11%). Moderate self-reported physical activity and the 6MWT were the only activity measures to significantly predict any of the self-efficacy variables. Discussion: Nurses are ideally positioned to lead health promotion initiatives, such as evidence based exercise self-efficacy enhancing interventions and educational strategies for aging women that focus on the importance of physical activity in reducing the risk of CVD and frailty. As a holistic approach is central to nursing, it is important for nurses to incorporate the components of self-efficacy, frailty, and CVD risk into their assessments and ongoing care of aging female patients. Significance: This study provides novel research evidence

The Sarco(endo)plasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) is the primary cardiomyocyte calcium transporter and has been shown to be acetylated at higher levels in the diabetic mouse heart. The objective of this study was to determine if SERCA2a acetylation changes with high glucose exposure, which enzyme(s) deacetylate SERCA2a, and which enzyme(s) acetylate SERCA2a. We hypothesized that increased SERCA2a acetylation will have a negative effect on SERCA2a function and that the activities of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate SERCA2a acetylation. Our data demonstrates that high glucose increases SERCA2a acetylation and leads to decreased SERCA2a activity in primary rat cardiomyocytes. SERCA2a acetylation increased with inhibition of the sirtuins but Class I & II HDACs. SERCA2a acetylation decreased with pan-inhibition of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and inhibition of GCN5 prior to glucose exposure. Together this data identifies the sirtuins and GCN5 as possible therapeutic targets to decrease SERCA2a acetylation.

Frailty assessment has been suggested to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management. Frailty is characterized as having a lack of reserve for tolerating health stressors. Few studies have tried standardizing frailty criteria to the population being assessed or examined the association of CVD risk profile before the onset of CVD. The purpose of my thesis is to: (1) determine if standardized frailty models better discriminate CVD risk compared to the traditional approach; and, (2) determine if there are differences in CVD risk profile based on frailty status in a sample of middle-aged and older women. The standardized model improved CVD risk discrimination by 39.4% (p=0.016) and 20.5% (p = 0.017) in the two composite CVD risk scores assessed. Comparison of CVD risk profiles between frailty groups identified variables indicating higher CVD risk as frailty status increased. Frailty assessment have the potential to identify women with elevated CVD risk.

Background and objectives: Physical activity and sedentary behaviors are associated with frailty. However, it is unknown if different accumulation patterns of these behaviors are linked with frailty. Four studies were conducted: the first three determined if bouts of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and patterns of sedentary behaviors were associated with frailty, (study 1) and if sex (study 2) and CVD status (study 3) affected these associations. Study 4 systematically reviewed the evidence to determine if preoperative physical activity and sedentary behaviors were linked to post-cardiac surgical outcomes. Methods: Study 1-3 used accelerometer data from the 2003-04/2005-06 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Bouted (≥10 minutes) and sporadic (<10 minutes) durations of MVPA were analyzed based on meeting a proportion of the physical activity guidelines of 150 min/week. Prolonged sedentary behaviours were measured in bouts lasting ≥30 minutes. Breaks from sedentary behavior were any ≥1 minute interruption in sedentary time. Average intensity and duration during breaks were analyzed. Frailty was measured with a 46-item frailty index (FI). Study 4 included investigations that linked preoperative physical activity behaviors to postoperative health outcomes. Results: The first three studies revealed that sporadic and bouted MVPA were associated with a lower FI. Meeting 1-49% of the physical activity guidelines had a protective association with frailty. Prolonged sedentary bouts had a more detrimental association with frailty in females than males. Bouted MVPA was associated with a lower FI in CVD participants but not in those without CVD. Average break intensity was associated with a lower FI across studies. Average break duration was associated with frailty in males and in those with CVD. Study 4 included 11 articles, which reported inconsistent findings in relation to self-reported physical activity behavior and postoperative outcomes in cardiac