May 29, 2007
the blur
erin_oldfather posted a photo:
The end of a cross country race in the fall. The mud was ankle-deep all over the course.
running with Flickr
Archive for May, 2007
Using internet and mobile phone technology to deliver an automated physical activity program: randomized controlled trial
Using internet and mobile phone technology to deliver an automated physical activity program: randomized controlled trial.
Hurling R, Catt M, Boni MD, Fairley BW, Hurst T, Murray P, Richardson A, Sodhi JS
J Med Internet Res. 2007; 9(2): e7
BACKGROUND: The Internet has potential as a medium for health behavior change programs, but no controlled studies have yet evaluated the impact of a fully automated physical activity intervention over several months with real-time objective feedback from a monitor.
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the impact of a physical activity program based on the Internet and mobile phone technology provided to individuals for 9 weeks.
METHODS: A single-center, randomized, stratified controlled trial was conducted from September to December 2005 in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, with 77 healthy adults whose mean age was 40.4 years (SD = 7.6) and mean body mass index was 26.3 (SD = 3.4). Participants were randomized to a test group that had access to an Internet and mobile phone-based physical activity program (n = 47) or to a control group (n = 30) that received no support. The test group received tailored solutions for perceived barriers, a schedule to plan weekly exercise sessions with mobile phone and email reminders, a message board to share their experiences with others, and feedback on their level of physical activity. Both groups were issued a wrist-worn accelerometer to monitor their level of physical activity; only the test group received real-time feedback via the Internet. The main outcome measures were accelerometer data and self-report of physical activity.
RESULTS: At the end of the study period, the test group reported a significantly greater increase over baseline than did the control group for perceived control (P < .001) and intention/expectation to exercise (P < .001). Intent-to-treat analyses of both the accelerometer data (P = .02) and leisure time self-report data (P = .03) found a higher level of moderate physical activity in the test group. The average increase (over the control group) in accelerometer-measured moderate physical activity was 2 h 18 min per week. The test group also lost more percent body fat than the control group (test group: -2.18, SD = 0.59; control group: -0.17, SD = 0.81; P = .04).
CONCLUSIONS: A fully automated Internet and mobile phone-based motivation and action support system can significantly increase and maintain the level of physical activity in healthy adults.
From HubMed Abstracts
Get Physical: Go For a Jog Together
I know this one seems relatively basic, but one of the best ways to get out and about with your partner-in-crime (husband, best friend, mom, etc) is by going for a good ol’ jog. My husband loves running outside and so do I, but sometimes neither of us feel like going at it alone, especially on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon.
Read the rest at FitSugar - Fitness, Health & Well-Being.
May 28, 2007
Eight tips for runners
Q. What’s some of the best advice you could offer to a beginning runner hoping to get in shape?
A. Running is, in and of itself, a relatively simple endeavor: It does not require expensive, high-tech equipment, membership fees, or a special facility. Most folks can (if they are physically able) just go out and run. However, similar to other sports, there are some definite pitfalls that beginning runners can experience if they do not take some care in their approach. I’ll identify eight of them here:
Runners Club planned for kids in grades 6-12
The Sheboygan Area School Community Recreation Department is offering a Runners Club to all interested youth in grades 6-12.
The club will meet at Sheboygan North High School (the first day will meet in the gym) from June 18 to Aug. 10.
Entry-level runners meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-9:30 a.m., and experienced runners Monday through Friday.
The Runners Club is a structured summer training program for youth. Designed by the cross country coaches at North and South high schools, the program will provide a variety of enjoyable running experiences that will ease the participant into the high school program.
The cost is $33 per participant for the three-day program and $55 for the five-day program. Non-residents fees are $50 and $90, respectively.
Fees must be paid at the Recreation Dept. 607 S. Water St. in Sheboygan.
For further information call 459-3773.
From The Sheboygan Press
