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Little progress has been made toward increasing physical activity in women. This study aimed to determine if an 8-month theory-based book club intervention (Women Bound to Be Active) was effective in increasing: (a) self-worth, (b) benefits relative to barriers to physical activity, and (c) physical activity in women (n = 51). Findings suggested a book club was effective for improving: self-worth, the benefits relative to barriers to physical activity, and possibly participation in physical activity. This is an innovative model to help women become more active and learn skills that may enable them to be active on their own long after a physical activity program has ended. KEYWORDS exercise, adherence, female, psychosocial, social cognitive theory, transtheoretical model, health, group-based DOI: 10.1080/03630241003601103

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention (a women's book club; Women Bound to be Active) in promoting long-term physical activity. Thirty-five women (26-70 years; mean age 50.6 years) completed the 8-month intervention and participated in the one-year follow-up. At follow-up, physical activity returned to baseline levels; however, self-worth and body mass index significantly improved. Women were more knowledgeable about physical activity at follow-up; however, they failed to maintain physical activity after the intervention. Components of the intervention were effective in improving self-worth and lowering BMI at one-year follow-up. To enhance long-term physical activity adherence, continued research and intervention modifications are needed. KEYWORDS health, exercise, adherence, female, adult, group-based, social support DOI: 10.1080/03630240903424020

Increasing physical activity (PA) has become a national health objective due to its associated health benefits, but low participation rates. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of an 8-month (September 2006-April 2007) PA book club (Women Bound to Be Active-WBA) in increasing PA and self-worth (SW) among women. Fifty-six adult women participated in an 8-month intervention consisting of weekly meetings designed to improve PA knowledge, awareness, confidence, and SW. Results indicated a significant increase in PA and SW. The WBA program represents a creative theory-based approach to empowering women to be more active. KEYWORDS. Exercise, adherence, self-esteem, female

Approximately 50 percent of individuals who start an exercise program withdraw within 6 months. Thus, many individuals withdraw before health benefits have been realized. This is a disconcerting statistic considering the well known benefits of physical activity for decreasing risk of hypokinetic diseases and improving quality of life. The literature has suggested a plethora of factors to increase the number of individuals who initiate a physical activity program. However, little is known about the factors that keep women exercising-otherwise known as exercise adherence. The purpose of this paper is to: (a) systematically review the quantitative literature to discern the major factors contributing to adherence to physical activity in women and men and make recommendations for specific gender-based considerations that are important when designing PA interventions for women, and (b) suggest areas of future research related to increasing adherence to physical activity in women. Key factors reviewed in this paper may be useful in developing efficacious physical activity programs for women. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800- HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: KEYWORDS. Exercise, female, participation, health promotion, adherence

Endurance performance and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) decline as altitude increases. Some data exist suggesting that quercetin supplementation improves aerobic capacity in trained and untrained individuals at sea-level (normobaric normoxic conditions). Few studies have examined the effects of quercetin on endurance performance during simulated altitude exposure (normobaric hypoxic conditions). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of consuming 1000 mg⋅day-1 of quercetin for two weeks on cycling VO2peak in healthy trained male cyclists performing under normobaric normoxic and hypoxic conditions (NP and HP, respectively). Fourteen age-matched healthy male subjects were randomized to either a placebo or quercetin group. Baseline and post supplementation VO2peak values were quantified during incremental cycling under normobaric normoxic (FIO2 = 20.9%) and normobaric hypoxic (FIO2 = 13.6 + 0.2%) conditions. Subjects consumed capsules twice daily with either 500 mg quercetin or placebo (Tang) for two weeks and were re-assessed. Test order was randomized and assessments were separated by 48-72 hours. At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups for VO2peak normobaric normoxic trials (NPbaseline Placebo vs. NPbaseline Quercetin = 58.7+8.8 and 61.5+7.9 ml ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively, p = 0.541) and normobaric hypoxic trials (HPbaseline Placebo vs. HPbaseline Quercetin = 48.5+8.3 and 50.8+4.8 ml ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively, p = 0.534). No significant differences were found after treatment (Placebo: NPbaseline vs. NPpost = 58.7+ 8.8 and 56.7+7.4 ml ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively, p = 0.10; HPbaseline vs .HPpost = 48.5+8.3 and 47.1+8.3, respectively, p = 0.50; Quercetin: NPbaseline vs. NPpost = 61.5+7.9 and 62.4+7.3 ml ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively, p = 0.558; HPbaseline vs. HPpost = 50.8+4.8 and 51.2+3.8 ml ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively, p= 0.656. These data suggest that short-term quercetin supplementation at 1000 mg ⋅ day-1 does not affect VO2peak elicited via incremental maximal cycle testing under normobaric normoxic and hypoxic conditions in trained male cyclists. Furthermore, quercetin supplementation did not attenuate the decline in VO2peak that was evident in the normobaric hypoxic condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]