ChesterRep Collection:

An evaluation of the ‘Measure Up’ community weight management programme

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: An evaluation of the ‘Measure Up’ community weight management programme Authors: Green, Susannah Abstract: The study aimed to determine if the ‘Measure Up’ community weight management programme, which is delivered in Knowsley, is effective in supporting participants to reduce their body weight and waist circumference. This was a repeated measures study of participants (n=42, mean BMI = 30.7kg/m2) attending weekly weight management sessions over a 12 week period. Participants attended sessions at three different sites in Knowsley; Kirkby (n=9, mean BMI 33.3kg/m2), Knowsley Village (n=21, mean BMI 29.4 kg/m2) and Whiston (n=12, mean BMI 31kg/m2). Body weight was recorded at baseline, 6 (n=26), 12 (n=35) and 24 weeks (n=9). Waist circumference was measured at baseline and 12 weeks. There were significant decreases in body weight between baseline and 6 weeks (P=0.000) of 0.95kg and between baseline and 12 weeks (P=0.001) of 3.6kg. During the 12 week course 21% of participants reduced body weight by >5% and 59% reduced body weight by 0.1-4.9%. There was no statistical difference in waist measurement during the 12 week course (P=0.452) or between weight loss at the three sites (P=0.504). Post course there was a significant difference between body weight at baseline and 24 weeks (P=0.017) of 3.6kg but no difference between 12 and 24 weeks (P=0.168). ‘Measure Up’ is effective at supporting participants to reduce their body weight and maintain this weight reduction at 12 weeks post intervention. Participants across all three sites achieved similar results. Changes can be made to better support participants post intervention.

A study of the relationship between the general physical fitness of adolescents aged 15 – 19 years and their parents

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A study of the relationship between the general physical fitness of adolescents aged 15 – 19 years and their parents Authors: Law, Christopher John Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of familial resemblance in general physical fitness between adolescents and their parents. Data was gathered from a sample of adolescent-parent pairs. Parents with children between the ages of 15-19 years of age were recruited by means of a poster campaign in the Abergele, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno postal areas of Conwy, North Wales. A sample of 32 adolescent-parent pairs was employed in this research. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and had anthropometric measures taken. The performance of adolescent-parent pairs was then measured for aerobic capacity, static strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. A correlational research design was employed for the project. The level of significance was set at p<0.01. All statistical calculations were performed using SPSS (Version 14.0 for Windows). Familial correlation models were fitted directly to the data under the assumption that the family data follow a multivariate normal distribution. The results indicated significant parent - offspring resemblance for weight (0.50), aerobic capacity (0.52), muscular endurance (0.48) and flexibility (0.60) and significant father/son resemblance for weight (0.29), height (0.46) and grip strength (0.39), together with mother/daughter resemblance for weight (0.33) and height (0.48). The results suggest that familial and perhaps genetic, factors are important in explaining the variance in general physical fitness.

A systematic review comparing the two cardiac procedures namely off-pump CABG and on-pump CABG in terms of the total patency rates

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A systematic review comparing the two cardiac procedures namely off-pump CABG and on-pump CABG in terms of the total patency rates Authors: Merchant, Fahad I Abstract: The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review analyzing the total patency rates in off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. For more than thirty years, surgical coronary revascularization has been accomplished with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the vast majority of cases. However, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has enjoyed a recent resurgence in interest and popularity, worldwide. The prime aim was to compare the two procedures and find out the total patency rates in each by there angiographic outcomes along with short and long term follow-up. A total of seven Randomized control trials were included in the systematic review, and the articles were assessed and included if they fulfilled the criteria of Jadad scale and the guidelines of The Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine. This review has yielded independent results in favour of both the surgical procedures. Each of the two surgical procedures has proved its efficacy when subjected to patients with different clinical profile. The papers and the method of selection of patients have been critically appraised in this study. This study has reached a consensus declaring that both the procedures are equally effective when comparing the short and long term outcomes of the total patency rate. On the whole it depends on the surgeon, hospital, staff and other parameters to choose a procedure and the clinical status of the patient in order to approach a specific procedure.

Impact of hand-held weights on treadmill walking in previously sedentary women

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Impact of hand-held weights on treadmill walking in previously sedentary women Authors: Savin, Deborah J Abstract: The aim of this dissertation was to study the physiological adaptations when hand-held weights are incorporated into a six-week programme of regular walking. Fourteen sendentary women aged 37+/-8 years were randomly allocated into one of two groups; hand-held weight group (HWG) and control group (CG). Twelve women (six per group) completed the study. Both groups completed a six-week unsupervised exercise programme comprising three 30min treadmill walks per week at 60-75% of predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). HWG carried two 0.91kg (2lb) hand-held weights using an active arm swing, CG exercised without weights. All walks were undetaken at 0% incline. Participant progress was monitored via the study website (www.sleepy8.com). Predicted VO2max, distance walked in 10min, body mass, waist circumference and sum of four skinfold sites were measured at Baseline, Week 4 and Week 6. The 12 participants completed 100% of the programme walks. Both groups experienced an increase in predicated VO2max; 37.0+/-4.7ml/kg/min to 40.0+/-4.7ml/kg/min (8%) for HWG, 33.4+/-6.4ml/kg/min to 38.9+/-2.8ml/kg/min (16%) for CG. These increases were neither statistically significant nor significantly different from one another. No significant differences between or within groups were found for body mass, waist circumference or sum of four skinfold sites. The addition of 0.91kg hand-held weights to a six-week regular walking programmes when undertaken by previously sedentary women, does not have a significantly greater impact on aerobic fitness or body composition than unweighted walking. Both forms of exercise were shown to produce meaningful improvements in aerobic fitness, but it is likely that the small sample size prevented these results from registering as statistically significant. There is no evidence to support the introduction of hand-held weights at the beginning of a walking programme for previously sedentary women if the objective is one of acelerating the improvement in aerobic fitness or body compostition. Conversely, no negative consequences of doing so have been observed here.