Thirteen hyperactive males (ages five through eight) were rated on activity prior to, during, and after a period of ascending music stimuli. It was hypothesized that they would become less active during, rather than before or after, the stimulus. Activity significantly increased during the music program, thus rejecting the hypothesis. (Author/SJL)

This study analyzed the association between physical activity level and cigarette, smokeless tobacco, and marijuana use among public high school students. Youth Risk Behavior Survey data showed significant associations among white males for use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and marijuana. Higher physical activity levels were inversely…

Reports a study that examined how levels of physical activity and participation on school athletic teams correlated with tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents. Results indicated that level of physical activity and athletic participation correlated with less cigarette smoking but more binge drinking. (SM)

The second of a two-part series on contraindications to athletic activity, this article examines the sensory, spinal, gastrointestinal, systemic, hematologic, and dermatologic conditions that warrant activity disqualification and provides guidelines about when it is safe to participate. Activity considerations for individuals who have lost a…

Tested the effectiveness of a community-based intervention designed to promote physical activity among rural fifth graders. Data on students who participated in after-school and summer programs and home, school, and community interventions indicated that the after-school and summer interventions were implemented as planned, but the home, school,…

Evaluated the impact of online, stage-based materials on exercise behavior and stage of readiness to change. College faculty participated in stage-based, action-message, or control groups. Occupational and leisure activity, 7-day physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, and stage of readiness to change were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks.…

Presents results of an investigation comparing energy cost and cardiovascular responses of aerobic dance routines performed at different intensity levels in varying amounts of energy expenditure. For low-impact dance to meet minimum guidelines suggested by the American College of Sports Medicine, it should be performed at high intensity. (SM)

Results of a questionnaire administered to 43 wheelchair road racers suggest that their medical problems may lead to complications while training or racing. The study looked at the effects of training, injuries, bladder management, medications, and spasms. Sports medicine professionals are provided with information on handling disabled athletes.…

Examined effects of sugar on behavior of 45 preschool and elementary school children. Provided all children with basic breakfast that included drink containing either 50 g of sucrose, a comparably sweet placebo, or very little sucrose. Found some small behavior changes in high-sucrose group. All effects were small in magnitude and not considered…

Two studies examined preschoolers' physical activity patterns, through the use of wrist-mounted portable heart rate monitors, during structured and unstructured daily activity. Found that the children's heart rates were significantly higher during developmental movement sessions than during other day-care sessions or home activities, which were…

A relationship between physical fitness and cognition has been difficult to document. The paper describes cognition and examines the effects of aging on cognition, the fitness-cognition relationship hypothesis, difficulties in determining the fitness-cognition relationship, and the current status of the relationship. (SM)

Evaluated the effect of pacifiers and sucrose stimulation on the heart rate, coordination, and behaviors of normal infants and infants born to methadone-maintained mothers. Found that pacifiers stimulated immediate changes in all behaviors, which returned to baseline levels when pacifiers were removed. Sucrose stimulation precipitated gradual…

One theme in discussing physical activity and stress is the relationship between emotional arousal and motor performance. Different research models have produced converging evidence for the notion that motor performance relates to a state of optimal arousal. Themes emerging from the literature and recommendations for future consideration are…

Reviews articles on stress and exercise. After defining stress, the paper analyzes competition as either eustress or distress, provides evidence for Berger's taxonomy of stress and exercise, examines Type A behavior, discusses multidimensional anxiety and stress management, describes the inverted-U hypothesis and task characteristics, and explains…