Research Articles

By Ralph La Forge, MS esearch the number of days of absence from work because of low-back pain, functional status (Roland Disability Questionnaire) and severity of pain (11-point numerical scale). Results. The median number of days of absence from work over 6 months of follow-up was 58 days in the graded-activity group and 87 days in the usual-care group. From randomization onward, graded activit...

research update by Len Kravitz, PhD Highlights From the 50th Annual Meeting of the ACSM The latest research on preserving bone density, promoting weight loss, increasing muscular power, and using music to enhance workouts. Walking Intensity and Bone Mineral Density Fogleman, K.M., Borer, K.T., & Sowers, M.R. 2003. Walking intensity stimulates increases in BMD in post-menopausal women. Medicine ...

RESEARCH By Ralph La Forge, MS E x e rc i s e a s Medicine: Convincing Evidence Booth, F.W. et al. 2002. Waging war on physical inactivity: using modern molecular ammunition against an ancient enemy. Journal of Applied Physiology, 93, 3-30. Study. Exercise scientists from the University of Missouri at Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and East Carolina University in Gree...

RESEARCH By Ralph La Forge, MS Hormone Replacement T h e r a p y E ff i c a c y Revisited (HERS II) Health Science Education for Personal Fitness Tr a i n e r s Obesity Linked t o C o ro n a r y A t h e ro s c l e ro s i s i n Yo u n g M e n Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy Revisited (HERS II) Hulley, S., et al. 2002. Noncardiovascular disease outcomes during 6.8 years of hormone therapy: H...

RESEARCH By Ralph La Forge, MS Fibromyalgia and Exercise Intensity Exercise and Bulimia Mind, Body and Immunity Fibromyalgia and Exercise Intensity Van Santen, M., et al. 2002. High- or low-intensity aerobic fitness training in fibromyalgia: Does it matter? Journal of Rheumatology, 29 (3), 582-7. Study. In the Netherlands, physician researchers at the University of Limberg at Maastricht compare...

RESEARCH By Ralph La Forge, MS E ff e c t o f High-Intensity Resistance E x e rc i s e o n Elderly Bones E x e rc i s e Intensity and Fat Oxidation Complex vs. Simple Carbohydrates for Metabolic S y n d ro m e Effect of High-Intensity Resistance Exercise on Elderly Bones Vincent, K.R., & Braith, R.W. Resistance exercise and bone turnover in elderly men and women. Medicine & Science in Sports & ...

RESEARCH By Ralph La Forge, MS ACSM Position Stand on We i g h t Loss T he American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently published its current Position Stand on "Appropriate Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults" (Jakicic, J.M., et al., 2001, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33 [12], 2145-56). This evidence-based position paper updates...

research A m e r i c a 's H e a l t h : 2001 State Health Rankings Each year UnitedHealth Foundation publishes a very important report that ranks the 50 United States in 16 different health-related categories, including overall health. This report provides useful information for fitness professionals who aspire to justify and create health promotion and fitness programs for a variety of populatio...

exercise rx By Janet Weller, RN Maximum Heart Rate Formula: Missing the Mark? Recent studies point to shortcomings in the common calculation method, especially for young and older adults. W hile for 30 years the fitness industry has relied on the formula 220 minus age (plus or minus 10 percent) to determine maximum heart rate, most trainers have seen clients whose numbers simply did not match...

research update By Debra Wein, MS, RD Glycemic Index he glycemic index (GI) is often used to help people eat healthfully, reduce the risk of diabetes and improve exercise performance. GI is used to calculate glycemic load, which reflects the rate at which blood glucose (blood sugar levels) is raised by the carbohydrate content of different foods. Since sugars, starches and fiber are all carbohy...