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Background The body positivity movement on social media is thought to foster body appreciation, but pervasive societal concern persists about the body positivity movement and the body image, health behaviors, and “normalization of obesity” of young adult women. Purpose This study explored the relationship between engagement in the body positivity movement on social media and weight status, body appreciation, body dissatisfaction, and the health behaviors of intuitive eating and physical activity in young adult women (18–35 years). Methods Participants (N = 521; ∼64% engaged in body positivity content on social media) were recruited using Qualtrics online panels for this cross-sectional survey during February 2021. Outcomes included weight status, weight consideration, weight perception, body appreciation, body dissatisfaction, physical activity, and intuitive eating. Logistic and linear regression models adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, education level, and household income were used to assess the association between engagement in the body positivity movement and specified outcomes. Results Engagement in body positivity content was associated with greater body dissatisfaction (β = 2.33, t(519) = 2.90 p = .017), body appreciation (β = 0.26, t(519) = 2.90 p = .004), and greater likelihood of reporting high amounts of physical activity (odds ratio = 2.28; p < .05) relative to nonengaged peers; these associations remained significant after further adjustment for weight status. Body positivity was not associated with weight status, weight perception, or intuitive eating. Conclusions Engagement in the body positivity movement is associated with higher body dissatisfaction and body appreciation in young adult women, which suggests they may be drawn to and engage in the body positivity movement as a protective or coping mechanism for body dissatisfaction.

SHAPE America (2021) contends the use of physical activity used as punishment and/or behavior management as an inappropriate practice. The position statement acknowledges both the administration and withholding of physical activity as punishment, however, this paper focuses on the use of exercise as punishment (EAP) in physical education settings. While deemed inappropriate, the use of EAP is still happening today (Barney et al., 2016). The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to encourage appropriate pedagogies and practices while increasing awareness of national recommendations. Strategies for advocacy efforts are discussed.

Background:Little is known about the adoption by athletic administrators (AAs) of exertional heat illness (EHI) policies, and the corresponding facilitators and barriers of such policies within high school athletics. This study describes the adoption of comprehensive EHI policies by high school AAs and explores factors influencing EHI policy adoption.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that <50% of AAs would report adoption of an EHI policy, and that the most common facilitator would be access to an athletic trainer (AT), whereas the most common barrier would be financial limitations.Study Design:Cross-sectional.Level of Evidence:Level 4.Methods:A total of 466 AAs (82.4% male; age, 48 ± 9 years) completed a validated online survey to assess EHI prevention and treatment policy adoption (11 components), as well as facilitators and barriers to policy implementation. Access to athletic training services was ascertained by matching the participants? zip codes with the Athletic Training Locations and Services Project. Policy adoption, facilitators, and barriers data are presented as summary statistics (proportions, interquartile range (IQR)). A Welch t test evaluated the association between access to athletic training services and EHI policy adoption.Results:Of the AAs surveyed, 77.9% (n = 363) reported adopting a written EHI policy. The median of EHI policy components adopted was 5 (IQR = 1,7), with only 5.6% (n = 26) of AAs reporting adoption of all policy components. AAs who had access to an AT (P = 0.04) were more likely to adopt a greater number of EHI-related policies, compared with those without access to an AT. An AT employed at the school was the most frequently reported facilitator (36.9%).Conclusion:Most AAs reported having written EHI policy components, and access to an AT resulted in a more comprehensive policy.Clinical Relevance:Employment of an AT within high school athletics may serve as a vital component in facilitating the adoption of comprehensive EHI policies.

This study explored the effects of an 8-week peer coaching program on physical activity (PA), diet, sleep, social isolation, and mental health among college students in the United States. A total of 52 college students were recruited and randomized to the coaching (n = 28) or the control group (n = 24). The coaching group met with a trained peer health coach once a week for 8 weeks focusing on self-selected wellness domains. Coaching techniques included reflective listening, motivational interviews, and goal setting. The control group received a wellness handbook. PA, self-efficacy for eating healthy foods, quality of sleep, social isolation, positive affect and well-being, anxiety, and cognitive function were measured. No interaction effects between time and group were significant for the overall intervention group (all p > 0.05), while the main effects of group difference on moderate PA and total PA were significant (p < 0.05). Goal-specific analysis showed that, compared to the control group, those who had a PA goal significantly increased vigorous PA Metabolic Equivalent of Task (METs) (p < 0.05). The vigorous METs for the PA goal group increased from 1013.33 (SD = 1055.12) to 1578.67 (SD = 1354.09); the control group decreased from 1012.94 (SD = 1322.943) to 682.11 (SD = 754.89); having a stress goal significantly predicted a higher post-coaching positive affect and well-being, controlling the pre-score and other demographic factors: B = 0.37 and p < 0.05. Peer coaching showed a promising effect on improving PA and positive affect and well-being among college students.

Moderate-intensity physical activity is recommended for inactive adults with overweight/obesity (OW/OB). The objective of this study is to determine if differences exist in the selection of moderate intensity between inactive adults with juvenile-onset (JO) and adult-onset (AO) OW/OB. Participants (JO = 18, AO = 20) were stratified by onset and completed two separate 20-minute moderate-intensity exercise sessions on a treadmill and cycle ergometer (randomized order). Multiple linear regression was used to determine whether exercise intensity (average METS, % age-predicted HRmax), self-reported pleasure or exertion differed by onset, controlling for age and gender. On the treadmill, JO and AO participants selected an average intensity of (mean [SD]) 3.5 (0.9) and 3.7 (0.9) METS, and 64.0 (7.7) and 64.9 (7.5) % of age-predicted HRmax, respectively. On the cycle, JO and AO participants selected an average intensity of 3.3 (0.9) and 3.3 (1.0) METS, and 65.2 (8.8) and 60.7 (7.2) % of age-predicted HRmax. After adjustment, participant intensity selection did not significantly differ by obesity onset when walking or cycling. There were no significant differences in pleasure or perceived exertion by onset, however, perception of exertion was on the high-end of moderate for both the cycle (13.0, 12.5) and treadmill (12.0, 12.1), in JO and AO participants, respectively. Perception of moderate intensity did not differ by obesity onset. Self-selected intensity was at the low end of moderate for walking and cycling.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the ways in which physical education teacher education (PETE) prepares preservice physical education teachers (PPETs) to select and implement appropriate assessments.Methods: PPETs (N = 14) enrolled in the secondary teaching methods course at two US universities participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were completed to collect data concerning how assessment knowledge and skills were taught and learned. Constant content comparison method was used to analyze the data.Results: Two major themes with varying sub-themes emerged from the data: ‘Scratching the surface of assessment with unclear learning objectives’, and ‘Perceiving the importance of assessment, but still not integrate it into instruction’ Overall, assessment was not found to conjunctionally taught with instruction. School-based field experiences pertaining to assessment content and pedagogical knowledge were also weak.Conclusions: Minimum assessment knowledge and skills were taught in secondary methods courses with little field experience pertaining to assessment. Future research is needed on examining PETE program content and pedagogy courses to highlight the need for assessment instruction and transform our approaches to preparing PPETs.

The objective of this investigation was to compare isokinetic strength, countermovement jump and drop jump variables between high-contributors and low-contributors within NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s lacrosse athletes. Men’s (N=36) and Women’s (N=30) NCAA Division I lacrosse athletes completed strength testing of the quadriceps and hamstring across three speeds (60°·s−1, 180°·s−1, 300°·s−1), countermovement and drop jumps. To determine the discriminative ability of select lower-limb strength and power characteristics participants were categorized as high-contributors (Males N=18, age=20.3±0.4 yrs, height=183.9±5.5 cm, mass=90.8±5.8 kg; Females N=15, age=20.8±0.8 yrs, height=169.3±6.7 cm, mass=64.1±7.2 kg) or low-contributors (Males N=18, age=19.5±0.2 yrs, height=184.1±5.6 cm; mass=87.9±8.1 kg; Females N=15, age=19.7±0.2 yrs, height=169.8±7.0 cm, mass=62.9±7.7 kg ) based upon the number of games the participants competed in during the regular season. Within the male cohort, moderate significant (p−1 (d=0.69) and peak power in countermovement jump (d=0.68). Within the women’s cohort a large (d=0.87) significant difference (p−1. Hamstring strength and lower-limb power are important strength measures for lacrosse performance and should be prioritized in training prescription for lacrosse athletes.

Purpose This study examined the association between hearing status (i.e., adolescents with and without hearing loss) and physical activity and sports participation. Secondarily, we explored the association between physical activity and sports participation and psychosocial outcomes among adolescents with hearing loss. Methods Analyses included 29,034 adolescents (52.1% male, 13.8 ± 2.3 (M ± SD) years) from the combined 2018–2019 National Survey of Children's Health. Adolescents were grouped by hearing status. Adjusted logistic regression models assessed physical activity level (i.e., 0, 1–3, 4–6, and 7 days/week) and sports participation (i.e., participation in sports within the past 12 months) by hearing status. Secondary analyses examined associations between physical activity and sports participation with psychosocial outcomes among adolescents with hearing loss adjusting for relevant confounders. Results Relative to their hearing peers, adolescents with hearing loss (n = 359) were 40% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.60; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44, 0.81], 43% [AOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.41, 0.80], and 33% [AOR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.47, 0.95] less likely to engage in 1–3 days/week of physical activity, 4–6 days/week of physical activity, and meet physical activity guidelines, respectively. Further, adolescents with hearing loss were 31% [AOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55, 0.85] less likely to participate in sports. Sports participation, but not physical activity, was associated with a significant reduction in the likelihood of experiencing adverse psychosocial outcomes among adolescents with hearing loss (p's < .05). Discussion Sports participation, but not physical activity, was associated with attenuated likelihood of experiencing adverse psychosocial outcomes in adolescents with hearing loss, suggesting unique characteristics of sports participation confer protection of psychosocial health. Increasing access to and reducing barriers to engagement in sports should be prioritized to improve psychosocial health in adolescents with hearing loss.

Current methods of concussion assessment lack the objectivity and reliability to detect neurological injury. This multi-site study uses combinations of neuroimaging (diffusion tensor imaging and resting state functional MRI) and cognitive measures to train algorithms to detect the presence of concussion in university athletes. Athletes (29 concussed, 48 controls) completed symptom reports, brief cognitive evaluation, and MRI within 72 h of injury. Hierarchical linear regression compared groups on cognitive and neuroimaging measures while controlling for sex and data collection site. Logistic regression and support vector machine models were trained using cognitive and neuroimaging measures and evaluated for overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Concussed athletes reported greater symptoms than controls (∆R2 = 0.32, p < .001), and performed worse on tests of concentration (∆R2 = 0.07, p < .05) and delayed memory (∆R2 = 0.17, p < .001). Concussed athletes showed lower functional connectivity within the frontoparietal and primary visual networks (p < .05), but did not differ on mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy. Of the cognitive measures, classifiers trained using delayed memory yielded the best performance with overall accuracy of 71%, though sensitivity was poor at 46%. Of the neuroimaging measures, classifiers trained using mean diffusivity yielded similar accuracy. Combining cognitive measures with mean diffusivity increased overall accuracy to 74% and sensitivity to 64%, comparable to the sensitivity of symptom report. Trained algorithms incorporating both MRI and cognitive performance variables can reliably detect common neurobiological sequelae of acute concussion. The integration of multi-modal data can serve as an objective, reliable tool in the assessment and diagnosis of concussion.

Athletic trainers have assumed several roles and responsibilities over the years, but perhaps there is no more important role than that of a counselor. Are they prepared to do so? One hundred and thirty-two modified Revised Wylie Inventories were mailed to college/university athletic trainers to examine their educational preparation and experiences with counseling in various areas. Most athletic trainers surveyed reported that they were predominantly counseling in the areas of injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, and nutrition, and felt academically prepared to do so. However, it was reported that preparation to counsel in other less common areas (eg, family matters, financial matters, etc) was not adequately addressed in academic programs. The athletic trainers surveyed sought continuing education in order to meet the other counseling needs of student-athletes. Although they used several psychological referral services, it was apparent that most athletic trainers frequently served as counselors on many nonorthopedic topics. We suggest that athletic training educators consider incorporating both academic knowledge and clinical experience in a wider variety of counseling areas into their curricula.

A 37-year-old male ruptured the distal biceps brachii tendon performing a gymnastics routine. At Week 8 postsurgery, a bilateral isokinetic test demonstrated a 64 and 50% (at 60° • s-1and 300° • s-1) peak torque deficit between uninjured and injured arms during elbow flexion. The subject participated in a concentric isokinetic exercise program 3 days a week for 4 months. At 1 year postsurgery a bilateral test demonstrated a 14% deficit in peak torque at 60° • s-1, and faster test velocities of 180° • s-1and 300° • s-1indicated higher torques for the injured biceps muscle. The rehabilitation program returned the ruptured biceps to a level of concentric strength nearly equivalent to the contralateral limb at the velocities tested. © 1995 National Strength &amp; Conditioning Association.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify dynamic balance strategies used by 18 boys and girls who were deaf. Each child was simultaneously videotaped from the frontal and sagittal planes while walking forward on a balance beam and stepping over a stick placed knee high. Next their performance was evaluated on a pass-fail basis. Following testing, each participant was assigned to the respective group (pass n = 9; fail n = 9) for kinematic analysis. Based on a discriminant function analysis of the data, head and trunk ranges of motion (ROM) were significant (p < .05) predictors of pass/fail performance. Children in the fail group had significantly greater head and trunk sway causing them to lose balance. Factors contributing to poor dynamic balance among children who are deaf are discussed as are implications for intervention and further research.

A characteristic of scapulothoracic dysfunction is the tendency for the upper regions of the trapezius to hypertrophy in relation to its middle and lower portions. This creates a muscular imbalance that can alter scapular position and subsequently the length-tension relationship of the shoulder muscles. Tape was applied over the right upper trapezius to inhibit electrical activity in the muscles of 10 uninjured subjects. EMG activity was recorded in two locations of the upper trapezius and one location in the middle to lower trapezius region while each subject maintained an isometric contraction designed to activate both muscles. With the tape applied, there was a statistically significant reduction in EMG activity of the upper trapezius with a corresponding increase in the middle/lower trapezius. The ability of the tape to alter trapezius activity in this fashion may help correct muscular imbalances in the trapezius muscle.

The purposes of this article are to identify exercise performance-related factors that may contribute to shoulder pain and dysfunction and to describe appropriate training strategies for promoting shoulder stability and enhanced function. This article is not intended to help the reader diagnose and treat injuries or prescribe therapeutic interventions. Strength and conditioning professionals should encourage injured clients to consult a physician, physical therapist, or other appropriate health care professional before starting a conditioning program. © National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Arthritic conditions affect more than 40 million americans and are a major cause of physical disability. Resistance training has been found to improve muscular performance in persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This column discusses the benefits of resistance training in persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and provides general suggestions for developing safe, effective resistance training programs. © National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Learning objective: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) significantly affects quality of life, particularly when doing activities such as walking and climbing stairs. In addition, persons with PAD have an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and limb amputations. This article will summarize PAD, address exercise benefits specific to the disease, and discuss exercise training for those with PAD in both the clinical and the health and fitness setting. © 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.