Evaluation Of Physical Activity Monitor (Pam) On Health And Fitness In Sedentary Individuals

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Date
2005-04
Authors
Wong, Sook Kwan
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Physical Activity Monitor (PAM) on health and fitness amongst sedentary adults in Kelantan. PAM is a computer system designed to enhance physical activity level and further promote heaithy lifestyle among the sedentary population. 202 sedentary males (M) and females (F) participated in this study. They were randomly assigned into the PAM Intervention group (PAMIM; PAMIF) or Control group (Contro/IM; Contro/IF). All the groups underwent anthropometric, body composition, health and fitness assessments before and after the 3-month programme. Height (HT) and body weight (WT) were measured using a Seca® bodymeter 208 and Tanita® TSF-410 (Japan), respectively. Sody Mass Index (SMI) was then calculated from the HT and WT measurements (WT.Hr2 ). Regression equation for percent body fat (%SF) prediction was used. Waist and hip circumferences were measured, which then determined the Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) (W.H-1 ). Systolic (SSP) and diastolic (OSP) blood pressures were measured with a GO-II® mercury sphygmomanometer (Japan). Fasting blood glucose (GLU) and total cholesterol (TC) were analyzed after a 12-hr over night fast. The 20-m shuttle-run test was carried out to obtain the total run, which was subsequently used to estimate the V02max by means of a sample-specific regression equation. Two-way mixed ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine the differences between groups over time. There was a non-significant decrease in WT in PAMIF and increase in WT in Contro/IM; x whereas WT in PAMIM and Contro/IF remained unchanged. BMI and %BF of all the groups remained unchanged after 3 months. There was a nonsignificant increase in WHR in PAMIM; whereas other groups remained unchanged. SBP of the Contro/IM and Contro/IF did not show any significant changes. However, there was a decrease in both PAMIM and PAMIF, but not significant. All the groups showed non-significant decrease in DBP at posttest. Estimated V02max in PAMIM and PAMIF showed improvement at posttest (pre: 40.8 ± 6.3 ml.kg-1.min-1 ; post: 42.2 ± 7.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 , p<0.05; pre: 33.7 ± 4.4 ml.kg-1.min-1 ; post: 34.1 ± 5.1 ml.kg-1.min-\ p>0.05, respectively). Whereas both Control/M and Control/F showed deterioration in estimated V02max after 3 months (pre: 40.2 ± 5.8 ml.kg-1.min-1 ;post: 39.5 ± 6.2 ml.kg-1.min-\ p>0.05; pre: 31.7 ± 3.9 ml.kg-1.min-1; post: 30.8 ± 4.2 ml.kg-i .min-1 , p<0.05, respectively). There were no significant changes in GLU and TC for all groups at post-test. The overall findings revealed that PAM did not significantly facilitate all the heath variables at the end of programme. However, it significantly improved the fitness in both genders. Therefore, it is concluded the current version of PAM can facilitate physical fitness of sedentary adults. It is suggested that a newer version of PAM to be designed with the inclusion of dietary component to produce more significant health effects.
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Sports Science , Physical Activity Monitor
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