Cohort scheduling of freshman exercise physiology majors improves social integration and perceptions of faculty but not academic performance.

Cohort scheduling intentionally places students in the same sections of several classes (e.g., biology, algebra, and writing) with a consistent peer group and is typically done for small groups (<30 students) to enable better interaction among students.

Are Wearable Photoplethysmogram-Based Heart Rate Variability Measures Equivalent to Electrocardiogram? A Simulation Study.

Background: Traditional electrocardiography (ECG)-derived heart rate variability (HRV) and photoplethysmography (PPG)-derived "HRV" (termed PRV) have been reported interchangeably. Any potential dissociation between HRV and PRV could be due to the variability in pulse arrival time (PAT; time between heartbeat and peripheral pulse).

Objective: This study examined if PRV is equivalent to ECG-derived HRV and if PRV's innate error makes it a high-quality measurement separate from HRV.

Experimental evidence on a "light-touch" personalized email intervention in an online, undergraduate physiology course.

In large physiology classes, there is a demand for low-effort, or "light touch," strategies that faculty can use to connect with students and promote increased academic performance and student engagement. The purpose of this study was to compare personalized versus standardized emails following unit quizzes on student perceptions of faculty engagement, participation in academic resources, and academic performance in a junior-level, online physiology course. Students completed the online unit quiz and received a subsequent feedback email from the course director.

Peer-supported physical activity intervention for academic probation freshmen in a physiology-related major: a feasibility study.

To retain students on academic probation, physiology and physiology-related programs may offer a variety of academic support initiatives. This pilot research study examined the feasibility and perceptions of implementing a success coach-led physical activity (PA) program for freshmen on academic probation in a physiology-related program. Freshman on academic probation [grade point average (GPA) <2.

Perceptions of academic preparedness of first-gen freshmen in a physiology major inform recommendations for program-level academic development initiatives.

Many factors contribute to students' academic success, and some, including first-generation (FG) college student status and academic preparation, are especially relevant in physiology programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine FG college students' perceptions of academic preparedness and intended success strategies with the goal of informing program-level strategies to support FG students in similar undergraduate physiology-related programs. FG freshmen completed short surveys and reflections at the start and end of the semester.

An exploratory study of freshman attrition from an Appalachian physiology program.

Appalachia has low rates of college attendance and graduation, but relevant data investigating student attrition from physiology majors in this region are lacking. This exploratory study examined freshman attrition from an undergraduate exercise physiology program in Appalachia with the goal of identifying potential strategies for improving retention across similar programs in this underserved region. Questionnaires were administered at the beginning and end of the fall semester to freshman ( = 247) and students transferring out of the major [Transferred group (T); = 50] by the end of their first semester were compared against those that remained [Retained group (R); = 190].

Role of Fluid Milk in Attenuating Postprandial Hyperglycemia and Hypertriglyceridemia.

Postprandial plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations are predictive of relative cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and the pathogenesis of both insulin resistance and atherosclerosis has been attributed to acute states of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Postprandial lipemia and hyperglycemia suppress vascular reactivity and induce endothelial dysfunction. Epidemiological studies suggest that chronically-high consumption of milk and milk products is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and CVD.

Evaluation of an Occupational Exercise Training Program for Firefighters: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

Background: Occupational exercise training programs can improve overall health and fitness in firefighters, but evidence beyond clinical and performance outcomes is needed before fire departments invest in and successfully adopt health promotion programs.

Objective: This mixed methods pilot study sought to pair clinical and performance outcomes with participants' qualitative feedback (eg, participants' enjoyment, lifestyle behavior changes, and team structure) with the goal of informing recommendations for future programs.

Methods: Professional firefighters participated in a 14-week occupational exercise training program with assessments conducted pre- and posttraining.

A controlled intervention to improve freshman retention in a STEM-based physiology major.

Using a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning lens, this study systematically examined if a targeted intervention in at-risk students within a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-based physiology program would elicit positive student perceptions and higher retention rates into the second year. Those students who were considered at risk for attrition (retention; = 82) were compared against a control group (non-retention; = 165), and outcomes were evaluated with an End-of-Semester Survey and university enrollment data. Students in the retention group reported more favorable responses to questions pertaining to a first-year seminar course and academic advising.

The "Motor of the Day": Parent and School-Age Children's Cognitions, Barriers, and Supports for Breakfast.

Despite the many benefits of regular breakfast consumption few parents and children consume this meal every day and research examining the determinants of breakfast consumption is limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine breakfast-related cognitions (i.e.

Recovery from Strenuous Downhill Running in Young and Older Physically Active Adults.

There is a well-conceived notion that rate of recovery from strenuous exercise gets slower with age. However, it is unclear whether older adults who exercise habitually demonstrate slower rates of recovery. We determined whether older adults who are physically active demonstrate slower rates of recovery from unaccustomed strenuous exercise compared with younger peers.

Parent and School-Age Children's Food Preparation Cognitions and Behaviors Guide Recommendations for Future Interventions.

Objective: To investigate parent and child food preparation cognitions and behaviors qualitatively to create recommendations for nutrition programs targeting these audiences.

Design: Focus groups were conducted in community settings with school-age children (n = 37) and parents (n = 38) in Florida, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

Setting: Community settings in Florida, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

Consumption of Health-Related Content on Social Media Among Adolescent Girls: Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.

Background: Consumption of health- and fitness-related social media content is a predominant behavior among teenage girls, which puts them at risk for consuming unreliable health-related information.

Objective: This mixed-methods study (qualitative and quantitative) assessed health behavior attitudes and practices as well as social media use among adolescent girls. Additionally, similar practices and behaviors of adults who regularly interact with this population were studied.

Nonfat milk attenuates acute hyperglycemia in individuals with android obesity: A randomized control trial.

Background: Elevated android body fat increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. Postprandial hyperglycemia contributes to the proatherogenic metabolic state evident in android adiposity. Due to the insulinotropic effect of milk-derived proteins, postprandial hyperglycemia has been shown to be reduced with the addition of dairy products.

"My Tummy Tells Me" Cognitions, Barriers and Supports of Parents and School-Age Children for Appropriate Portion Sizes.

Larger portion sizes have increased in tandem with the rise in obesity. Elucidation of the cognitions of children and parents related to portion size is needed to inform the development of effective obesity prevention programs. This study examined cognitions of parents ( = 36) and their school-age children (6 to 11 years; = 35) related to portion sizes via focus group discussions.

Neck Circumference Positively Relates to Cardiovascular Risk Factors in College Students.

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between neck circumference (NC) and other anthropometric measures and examine cut-off points for males and females according to existing waist circumference cut-off levels in this age group. Across 8 universities, 1562 students underwent a physical assessment. Spearman rho correlations (ρ) were calculated to determine associations between NC and other continuous variables of health.

Ultrasound Assessment of Flow-Mediated Dilation of the Brachial and Superficial Femoral Arteries in Rats.

Arterial vasodilation to increases in wall shear rate is indicative of vascular endothelial function. In humans, the non-invasive measurement of endothelial function can be achieved by employing the flow-mediated dilation technique, typically performed in the brachial or superficial femoral artery. Briefly, a blood pressure cuff placed distal to an ultrasound probe is inflated to a suprasystolic pressure, which results in limb ischemia.