This study applied self-determination theory to investigate the effects of students' autonomous motivation and their perceptions of teacher autonomy support on need satisfaction adjustment, learning achievement, and cardiorespiratory fitness over a 4-month personal conditioning unit. Participants were 253 urban adolescents (121 girls and 132 boys,…

Although positive physiological and psychological changes may occur as a result of exercise, many people do not exercise regularly. Either different methods to ensure exercise adherence must be examined or new ways of acquiring the desired changes must be found. The effectiveness of one alternative method, electronic muscle stimulation, was…

A study determined if anaerobic power, isometric strength, and isometric endurance are affected by the menstrual cycle and if endurance trained females and untrained females are affected in the same manner on these performance parameters. Subjects were healthy, normally menstruating females, ages 18-34 years who were classified as either trained…

Although activity theory proposes a strong relationship between social activity and life satisfaction among older individuals, little research has considered the salience of the activity to the individual. In order to consider the salience of the activity, using volunteer activity as a measure, survey results from the Myths and Realities of Aging…

In this 1977 study the heart rates of 51 men and women ranging in age from 22-72 were continuously monitored while the subjects walked or ran a modified parcour fitness trail. The length of the course, its gradient, the distance between exercise stations, and the elevation of the course were measured. Mean percentage max HR (Karvonen) values were…

Studied low vision elderly clinic patients (N=63) who reported participation in six categories of leisure activities currently and at onset of vision loss. Found subjects reported significant declines in five of six activity categories. Found prior activity participation was related to current participation only for active crafts, participatory…

Cross-sectional studies have shown that a decrease in cardiovascular function occurs with age but don't reveal if the decline can be forestalled by exercise. This study followed 15 active men serially for twenty years to determine the type and rate of cardiovascular function decline. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Examined role of activity level and cognition on mood by contrasting monitor only, increase pleasant events, and increase pleasant events plus focusing on event pleasantness groups. Results show subjects who increased pleasant events and subjects who increased pleasant events plus focused on event pleasantness decreased in depression. (Author/BL)

Eleven boys at a summer camp were asked to recall the mode, duration, and intensity of their physical activity during the preceding seven days. When compared with their counselor's records, the boys were accurate enough to make seven-day recall applicable as a summary tool of children's total energy expenditure. (Author/MT)

Fifty-seven children were seen in interaction with their mothers, at 12 months and again at 18 months of age. The observational sessions included a teaching/learning task in which aspects of the mother's teaching style and the child's task orientation could be assessed. Additionally, assessments were made of "difficultness" and the…

This paper reviews the relationships between physical fitness and body composition and their combined effect on health. After discussing the epidemiologic evidence for a protective effect of physical fitness on the health risks associated with obesity, it describes the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study, an ongoing observational study that…

The results of this study revealed a significant relationship between activity level and choice of music therapy activities by a sample of 33 moderately retarded clients. It is recommended that music therapists consider activity levels when designing individual prescriptive programs. (Author/AL)

Hyperactivity is defined, and the relationships among minimal brain dysfunction, cerebral stimulants, and student characteristics such as activity level, attention and learning, and behavior are discussed. Hyperactive children's responses to the use of Ritalin and methylphenidate are reported. (CJ)

Data obtained from a study indicated a need to identify the academic preparation of athletic coaches in higher education. Areas studied included: (1) degrees in physical education; (2) degrees in education, guidance and counseling, or administration; and (3) undergraduate participation in athletic activities. (JN)

When older siblings were present with infants and their mothers in the backyard of a private home, the infants went further from their mothers, traversed a larger area of the yard, left their mothers more quickly, and stayed away longer. (RH)