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The PAQ evaluated in this study were shown to be reliable and associated with PA and physical fitness measures. Current findings support the utility of these PAQ for PA assessment in research studies of middle-aged women.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in women; however, maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) protocols are not always feasible. The Evaluation of Physical Activity Measures in Middle-Aged Women Study was a 6-week study designed to evaluate six physical activity (PA) measures in women, aged 45-65 years. We investigated the Ebbeling submaximal treadmill (EbbTM) protocol's ability to reflect an active lifestyle in 66 women [median (IQR) age, 51.0 (48.0, 56.5) years]. Participants were screened using ACSM and AHA guidelines and classified as moderate or low cardiovascular risk. VO(2max) was estimated using the EbbTM in all participants (TEST1). Moderate risk women repeated the EbbTM (TEST2) while low risk completed a maximal treadmill test. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimal detectable change (MDC(90)) score were calculated to examine reliability. Spearman rank order or Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were used to determine the association between estimated VO(2max) and physical fitness and activity measures. Estimated VO(2max) from the EbbTM protocol had excellent reproducibility [ICC = 0.95 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.98) and MDC(90) was 1.62 mL kg(-1) min(-1). The EbbTM protocol was associated with measured VO(2max) (ρ = 0.48; p = 0.01) and was positively correlated with moderate- (ρ = 0.32; p = 0.02), vigorous- (ρ = 0.47; p = 0.0005) and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (ρ = 0.36; p = 0.009), pedometer steps (ρ = 0.41; p = 0.002) and inversely correlated with waist circumference (ρ = -0.58; p < 0.0001), body fat (ρ = -0.55; p < 0.0001), and right leg endurance (ρ = -0.41; p = 0.003). The EbbTM protocol was shown to be reliable and associated with objective measures of fitness and PA in healthy, middle-aged women.

Currently, there is a paucity of literature that describes physical fitness levels in deploying service members. There has been no data collected that evaluate the Army National Guard or Reserves. This descriptive study will provide physical fitness data for soldiers in the Arizona National Guard (AZNG), allowing for a comparison between the active and reserve components. Sixty soldiers from the AZNG were tested before deployment. Body composition was measured by using air displacement plethysmography. Flexibility testing included the sit and reach (SNR), trunk extension (TE), and shoulder elevation (SE) assessments. Muscular strength was determined by the completion of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and back squat. Muscular endurance was determined by the completion of the Army push-up (P/U) and sit-up (S/U) test. Muscular power was assessed by the completion of the Wingate cycle test and the standing broad jump (SBJ). Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by the completion of a VO2peak test. The AZNG soldiers demonstrated a fat mass of 22.7 ± 8.9%, SNR, TE, and SE of 30.0 ± 8.9, 117.1 ± 25.2, and 145.5 ± 50.3 cm, 1RM bench press and back squat of 82.2 ± 29.9 and 104.6 ± 29.0 kg, P/U and S/U of 50 ± 18 and 53 ± 14 reps, peak power of 660.9 ± 177.8 W, SBJ of 191.8 ± 28.4 cm, and VO2peak of 48.9 ± 8.8 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1). This is the first study that provides descriptive data for physical fitness in a reserve component. The data demonstrate that these AZNG soldiers are relatively fit and have comparable results to their active duty counterparts. This descriptive data will provide military leadership a better understanding of the condition of soldiers before deployment and will assist them in better preparing soldiers for future conflicts.

BackgroundFalls are a major public health concern in older adults. Recent fall prevention guidelines recommend the use of multifactorial fall prevention programs (FPPs) that include exercise for community-dwelling older adults; however, the availability of sustainable, community-based FPPs is limited.MethodsWe conducted a 24-week quasi-experimental study to evaluate the efficacy of a community-based, multifactorial FPP [Stay in Balance (SIB)] on dynamic and functional balance and muscular strength. The SIB program was delivered by allied health students and included a health education program focused on fall risk factors and a progressive exercise program emphasizing lower-extremity strength and balance. All participants initially received the 12-week SIB program, and participants were non-randomly assigned at baseline to either continue the SIB exercise program at home or as a center-based program for an additional 12 weeks. Adults aged 60 and older (n = 69) who were at-risk of falling (fall history or 2+ fall risk factors) were recruited to participate. Mixed effects repeated measures using Statistical Application Software Proc Mixed were used to examine group, time, and group-by-time effects on dynamic balance (8-Foot Up and Go), functional balance (Berg Balance Scale), and muscular strength (30 s chair stands and 30 s arm curls). Non-normally distributed outcome variables were log-transformed.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index, 8-Foot Up and Go scores, improved significantly over time [F(2,173) = 8.92, p = 0.0; T0 − T2 diff = 1.2 (1.0)]. Berg Balance Scores [F(2,173) = 29.0, p < 0.0001; T0 − T2 diff = 4.96 (0.72)], chair stands [F(2,171) = 10.17, p < 0.0001; T0 − T2 diff = 3.1 (0.7)], and arm curls [F(2,171) = 12.7, p < 0.02; T0 − T2 diff = 2.7 (0.6)] also all improved significantly over time. There were no significant group-by-time effects observed for any of the outcomes.ConclusionThe SIB program improved dynamic and functional balance and muscular strength in older adults at-risk for falling. Our findings indicate continuing home-based strength and balance exercises at home after completion of a center-based FPP program may be an effective and feasible way to maintain improvements in balance and strength parameters.