Process evaluation of the Hockey Fans in Training lifestyle intervention (for men with overweight or obesity).

Background: Despite the proven relationship between lifestyle and morbidity and mortality, rates of chronic disease (e.g. obesity) continue to rise in paradox to the myriad of studies supporting lifestyle behaviour change.

The hockey fans in training intervention for men with overweight or obesity: a pragmatic cluster randomised trial.

Background: Obesity disproportionately impacts men's health yet fewer men engage in preventive healthcare. We examined the effectiveness of Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT), a gender-sensitised lifestyle intervention that engages men with overweight/obesity through their passion as fans of a local sports team, on weight change and other health indicators.

Methods: Pragmatic, cluster randomised trial (aged 35-65 years, body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m) within 42 community-based sites in Canada and the United States, randomly assigned (1:1) to intervention (Hockey FIT) or control (wait-list) and stratified by region.

Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT): Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics from a cluster randomized controlled trial in men with overweight or obesity.

Background: Previous research highlights the need for effective lifestyle interventions for men. Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) was developed as a pragmatic healthy lifestyle program tailored to men with overweight or obesity. This paper overviews the rationale, program details, and design of a recently completed cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Hockey FIT.

The Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training on Cognition and Blood Pressure in Older Adults With Hypertension and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Results From the Heart & Mind Study.

The impact of exercise on cognition in older adults with hypertension and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is unclear. We determined the influence of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with mind-motor training on cognition and systolic blood pressure (BP) in older adults with hypertension and SCD. We randomized 128 community-dwelling older adults [age mean (SD): 71.

Systolic blood pressure dipping may be associated with mobility impairment and brain volume in community-dwelling older adults: An exploratory study.

Objective: We investigated whether systolic blood pressure (SBP) dipping is associated with mobility outcomes and brain volume in older adults without dementia.

Methods: We conducted an exploratory analysis of data from 345 community-dwelling older adults (mean age [SD]: 69.9 [7.

A Scoping Review of Multiple-modality Exercise and Cognition in Older Adults: Limitations and Future Directions.

The effects of multiple-modality exercise (MME) on brain health warrants further elucidation. Our objectives were to report and discuss the current evidence regarding the influence of MME on cognition and neuroimaging outcomes in older adults without dementia. We searched the literature for studies investigating the effects of MME on measures of cognition, brain structure, and function in individuals 55 years or older without dementia.

Memory Function and Brain Functional Connectivity Adaptations Following Multiple-Modality Exercise and Mind-Motor Training in Older Adults at Risk of Dementia: An Exploratory Sub-Study.

Background: Multiple-modality exercise improves brain function. However, whether task-based brain functional connectivity (FC) following exercise suggests adaptations in preferential brain regions is unclear. The objective of this study was to explore memory function and task-related FC changes following multiple-modality exercise and mind-motor training in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints.

Innovative Exercise as an Intervention for Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Feasibility Study.

ABSTRACTExercise has potential to mitigate morbidity in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Participants with knee OA were randomized to a Square-stepping Exercise (SSE) group (2x/week for 24 weeks) or a control group. We assessed the feasibility of SSE and its effectiveness on symptoms (WOMAC), balance (Fullerton), mobility, and walking speed at 12 and 24 weeks.

Results From a Feasibility Study of Square-Stepping Exercise in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Self-Reported Cognitive Complaints to Improve Global Cognitive Functioning.

Objectives: Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus have an increased risk for dementia. Therefore, we proposed an intervention called the Square-stepping exercise (SSE) program to mitigate this risk. Our primary aim was to determine the feasibility of SSE in adults with type 2 diabetes and self-reported cognitive complaints.

The Impact of Blood Pressure Dipping Status on Cognition, Mobility, and Cardiovascular Health in Older Adults Following an Exercise Program.

To determine whether a dual-task gait and aerobic exercise intervention differentially impacted older adults with normal blood pressure (BP) dipping status (dippers) compared to those with nondipping status (nondippers). This study was a secondary analysis involving participants (mean age = 70.3 years, 61% women) who attended a laboratory-based exercise intervention over a 6-month period (40 min/day and 3 days/week).

Cognitive changes following multiple-modality exercise and mind-motor training in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints: The M4 study.

Background: We investigated the effects of multiple-modality exercise with additional mind-motor training on cognition in community-dwelling older adults with subjective cognitive complaints.

Methods: Participants (n = 127, mean age 67.5 [7.

Process evaluation of the HealtheSteps™ lifestyle prescription program.

Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and poor diet are contributing to the rise in chronic disease rates throughout the world. HealtheSteps™ is a lifestyle prescription program focused on reducing risk factors for chronic disease through in-person coaching sessions, goal setting and tracking, and technology supports. A process evaluation was conducted alongside a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to: (a) explore the acceptability of HealtheSteps™ program from coach and participant perspectives; and (b) identify where the program can be improved.

Evaluation of the Get Active Questionnaire in community-dwelling older adults.

Physical activity screening prior to starting a physical activity program is important to identify if there are any underlying health conditions. However, many older adults do not complete such assessments prior to beginning their physical activity program. This project compared the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology's newly developed Get Active Questionnaire (GAQ) to a standardized exercise stress test in terms of screening out versus screening in false-positive GAQ tests.

Multiple-modality exercise and mind-motor training to improve mobility in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of multiple-modality exercise with or without additional mind-motor training on mobility outcomes in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints.

Methods: This was a 24-week randomized controlled trial with a 28-week no-contact follow-up. Community-dwelling older adults underwent a thrice -weekly, Multiple-Modality exercise and Mind-Motor (M4) training or Multiple-Modality (M2) exercise with an active control intervention (balance, range of motion and breathing exercises).

Optimization of the Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) weight loss and healthy lifestyle program for male hockey fans.

Background: The health outcomes of men continue to be poorer than women globally. Challenges in addressing this problem include difficulties engaging men in weight loss programs as they tend to view these programs as contrary to the masculine narrative of independence and self-reliance. Researchers have been turning towards sports fans to engage men in health promotion programs as sports fans are typically male, and tend to have poor health habits.

Hockey Fans in Training: A Pilot Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) is a gender-sensitized weight loss and healthy lifestyle program. We investigated 1) feasibility of recruiting and retaining overweight and obese men into a pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial and 2) potential for Hockey FIT to lead to weight loss and improvements in other outcomes at 12 wk and 12 months.

Methods: Male fans of two ice hockey teams (35-65 yr; body mass index ≥28 kg·m) located in Ontario (Canada) were randomized to intervention (Hockey FIT) or comparator (wait-list control).

HealthBrain: an innovative smartphone application to improve cognitive function in older adults.

Background: Exercise-based interventions have shown promise in slowing cognitive decline, however there is limited evidence for scalability. Our previous research has linked a novel visuospatial memory exercise intervention, incorporating patterned walking or square-stepping exercise (SSE) with significant improvements in executive function and memory among older adults with normal cognition as well as those with subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of the current study was to determine the feasibility and utility of the HealthBrain smartphone app to deliver SSE outside the laboratory among older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Long-Term Maintenance of Executive-Related Oculomotor Improvements in Older Adults with Self-Reported Cognitive Complaints Following a 24-Week Multiple Modality Exercise Program.

Adults (≥55 years) with self-reported cognitive complaints (sCC) were randomized to: multiple-modality exercise (M2), or multiple-modality plus mind-motor exercise (M4), for 24-weeks. Participants (n = 58) were assessed on antisaccade reaction time (RT) to examine executive-related oculomotor control and self-reported physical activity (PA) at pre-intervention (V0), post-intervention (V1), and 52-weeks follow-up (V2). We previously reported significant improvements in antisaccade RT of 23 ms at V1, in both groups.

Combined Dual-Task Gait Training and Aerobic Exercise to Improve Cognition, Mobility, and Vascular Health in Community-Dwelling Older Adults at Risk for Future Cognitive Decline1.

This 6-month experimental case series study investigated the effects of a dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise intervention on cognition, mobility, and cardiovascular health in community-dwelling older adults without dementia. Participants exercised 40 min/day, 3 days/week for 26 weeks on a Biodex GaitTrainer2 treadmill. Participants were assessed at baseline (V0), interim (V1: 12-weeks), intervention endpoint (V2: 26-weeks), and study endpoint (V3: 52-weeks).

HealtheSteps™ Study Protocol: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial promoting active living and healthy lifestyles in at-risk Canadian adults delivered in primary care and community-based clinics.

Background: Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of chronic disease in Canadian adults. With less than 50% of Canadian adults reaching the recommended amount of daily physical activity, there is an urgent need for effective programs targeting this risk factor. HealtheSteps™ is a healthy lifestyle prescription program, developed from an extensive research base to address risk factors for chronic disease such as physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and poor eating habits.

Explaining the causal links between illness management and symptom reduction: Development of an evidence-based patient education strategy.

Objective: To determine whether explaining the causal links between illness management and symptom reduction would help younger and older adults learn and apply health information.

Method: Ninety younger and 51 older adults read about a fictitious disease with or without explanations about the cause-and-effects (causal information) of illness management. A knowledge test (applied vs.

A 24-Week Multi-Modality Exercise Program Improves Executive Control in Older Adults with a Self-Reported Cognitive Complaint: Evidence from the Antisaccade Task.

Exercise programs involving aerobic and resistance training (i.e., multiple-modality) have shown promise in improving cognition and executive control in older adults at risk, or experiencing, cognitive decline.

Multiple-modality exercise and mind-motor training to improve cardiovascular health and fitness in older adults at risk for cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The effects of multiple-modality exercise on arterial stiffening and cardiovascular fitness has not been fully explored.

Objectives: To explore the influence of a 24-week multiple-modality exercise program associated with a mind-motor training in cardiovascular health and fitness in community-dwelling older adults, compared to multiple-modality exercise (M2) alone.

Methods: Participants (n=127, aged 67.

Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) pilot study protocol: a gender-sensitized weight loss and healthy lifestyle program for overweight and obese male hockey fans.

Background: Effective approaches that engage men in weight loss and lifestyle change are important because of worldwide increases, including in Canada, in obesity and chronic diseases. Football Fans in Training (FFIT), developed in Scotland, successfully tackled these problems by engaging overweight/obese male football fans in sustained weight loss and positive health behaviours, through program deliveries at professional football stadia.

Methods: Aims: 1) Adapt FFIT to hockey within the Canadian context and integrate with HealtheSteps™ (evidence-based lifestyle program) to develop Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT); 2) Explore potential for Hockey FIT to help overweight/obese men lose weight and improve other outcomes by 12 weeks, and retain these improvements to 12 months; 3) Evaluate feasibility of recruiting and retaining overweight/obese men; 4) Evaluate acceptability of Hockey FIT; and 5) Conduct program optimization via a process evaluation.

A Six-Month Cognitive-Motor and Aerobic Exercise Program Improves Executive Function in Persons with an Objective Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Investigation Using the Antisaccade Task.

Persons with an objective cognitive impairment (OCI) are at increased risk for progression to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The present pilot project sought to examine whether participation in a long-term exercise program involving cognitive-motor (CM) dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise training improves executive function in persons with an OCI. To accomplish our objective, individuals with an OCI (n = 12) as determined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of less than 26 and older adults (n = 11) deemed to be cognitively healthy (i.