The motor-driven treadmill and dual-drive bicycle ergometer are equally valid instruments with which to obtain maximal oxygen uptake scores with healthy college males. (JD)

This study investigated whether blood plasma levels of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived (POMC) peptides, beta-endorphin-like activity, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and adrenal cortisol immediately after self injurious behavior (SIB) episodes predicted subsequent response to an opiate blocker in 10 patients with mental retardation. Results suggest…

Relations between self-injurious behavior (SIB), the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis, and response to an opiate antagonist were examined in 31 individuals with severe/profound neurodevelopmental disabilities. A significant number of subjects reduced SIB after receiving naltrexone supporting reports that the HPA axis is disturbed…

Compared the effects of different patterns of regular brisk walking on fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and psychological well-being in previously sedentary adults. Data on adults who completed either short-bout or long-bout walking programs found that three short bouts of brisk walking accumulated throughout the day were as effective…

Older adults (n=27) concerned about declining cognitive functioning performed cognitive tasks, completed questionnaires, and were given measures of anxiety and physiological change. Negative correlations appeared between level of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and self-efficacy on measures of fluid intelligence. Epstein-Barr virus levels were…

Discusses findings of studies that examined the relationship between vision, hearing, and cognitive function in normally aging adults. Indicates that most found at least modest significant relationships between sensory and cognitive measures based on diverse assessment and design methods. (Contains 42 references.) (JOW)

Discusses how to teach aerobic fitness concepts to elementary students. Some of the K-2 activities include location, size, and purpose of the heart and lungs; the exercise pulse; respiration rate; and activities to measure aerobic endurance. Some of the 3-6 activities include: definition of aerobic endurance; heart disease risk factors;…

Discusses the development of osteoarthritis and whether running and other impact loading sports promote it. Although these sports do not cause arthritis in normal weight bearing limbs, they can accelerate it in damaged joints. It is important to identify people with preeexisting joint disease so they can choose nonimpact-loading aerobic exercise.…

Presents results of a study of the physiological responses of uninjured runners to running on a treadmill and in water. Water running may lessen an injured athlete's rate of deconditioning, but indications are that the metabolic cost of water running is not significantly greater than that of treadmill running. (SM)

Identification of place of articulation in synthesized syllables was examined with eight normal hearing adults listening in quiet or noise and three adults with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Stimuli with an appropriate second formant (F2) transition were compared with stimuli in which F2 was constant. (Author/DB)

A concept analysis approach for didactic nursing instruction, currently being used for organizing and synthesizing pathophysiological data in literature, is presented and illustrated with excerpts from the concept "inflammation." Advantages and disadvantages for its use identified by graduate students are also included. (Author/MSE)

Clinical investigations have established that an aggressive approach to lowering cholesterol levels in coronary heart disease patients is warranted. This article describes optimal goals and discusses the role of diet, exercise, and medication in plasma lipids management. (IAH)

This article presents kinesiological factors pertaining to the lower back which should be considered in exercise prescription for youth. Three specific areas of concern are reviewed--abdominal muscular strength, trunk flexibility, and postural conditioning in jogging. (IAH)