Trekking poles are used by hikers for improved stability and lowered leg fatigue due to increased upper body muscle involvement. However, the weight of the poles and exaggerated upper body movement when using poles may increase total energy expenditure at a given walking speed. Few studies have investigated the physiological responses of hiking with trekking poles outside the laboratory setting. The purposes of this study were to determine if trekking poles altered physiological responses to hiking on varied terrain, and whether responses between trials were dependent on the grade of the terrain. Fourteen recreational hikers completed four hiking trials over a course that included sustained sections of flat (0 +/- 1% grade), steep uphill (>10% grade), gradual uphill (5% grade), gradual downhill (-5% grade) and steep downhill (<-10% grade) terrain. Subjects walked at a self-selected speed that was matched across trials using time-splits and a metronome. Two trials were conducted with hiking poles and two without poles. [latin capital V with dot above]O2 was significantly elevated (p <0.05) during the pole trials (1502.9 +/- 510.7 ml/min) compared to the no-pole trials (1362.4 +/- 473.2 ml/min). Similarly, ventilatory efficiency ([latin capital V with dot above]E) (43.1 +/- 9.6; 38.3 +/- 10.1 L/min) and heart rate (HR) (112.1 +/- 9.7; 105.7 +/- 10.4 bt/min) were significantly higher during the pole trials than the no-pole trials. However, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) was not altered by pole condition (8.5 +/- 0.7; 8.4 +/- 0.8). Comparisons within each grade revealed significantly higher physiological responses for [latin capital V with dot above]O2, [latin capital V with dot above]E and HR in the pole-condition at all grades, with no significant variable*grade interactions. RPE measures were not significantly different between pole trials at any grade. These data suggest that trekking poles may be a beneficial tool for increasing caloric expenditure, as energy production increased during exercise without increased perceptions of effort.

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This study examined the effects of a 12 week, treadmill-based, run sprint interval training (SIT) protocol compared with that of a moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) protocol in healthy, inactive, overweight/obese women, on cardiovascular disease risk factors. After random assignment, the SIT group completed 4-10 × 30 s maximal sprints, with a 4 min active recovery between sprints, and the MICT group completed 30-60 min at moderate intensity (45-55% heart rate reserve (HRR)). The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded for each session, and perceived enjoyment was quantified every 3 weeks. Clinical and fitness testing were completed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Twelve female participants (age: 34.1 ± 6.1; body mass index (BMI): 31.3 ± 6.8; VO 2peak : 27.0 ± 6.2) completed the intervention. There were significant main effects for time for VO 2peak (p = 0.001), body fat percentage (p = 0.001), and session RPE (p = 0.006). VO 2peak improved 20.7% in the SIT group (n = 5) and 24.4% in the MICT group (n = 7). Body fat percentage reduced by 1.7% in the SIT group and 2.6% in the MICT group. Perceived enjoyment was similarly high between the groups despite higher session RPE in the SIT group (p = 0.441). SIT training on a motor-driven treadmill elicits similar improvements in oxygen utilization and body composition as moderate-intensity training in this population.

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To improve putting performance, golfers have often used goal-setting techniques which require realistic performance expectations. Thus, examining whether external factors such as putting green irregularities affect putting performance is crucial to goal setting. The purpose of the study was to examine fluctuations in the trueness of roll of a golf ball across a green. A ball was mechanically rolled across a green in the morning and afternoon on a day when there was normal play and on a day when the course was closed to play. Analysis indicated that significant fluctuations in distance and dispersion were present throughout these time frames, i.e., the greatest distance of roll and the least amount of dispersion were present in the morning and on the day closed to play. Golfers should take into account these external fluctuations in trueness of roll when establishing goal-setting procedures involving putting skills.