PAC Lab Article Written By Brittany Armstrong
The annual meeting for the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine (SEACSM) took place this month in Greenville, SC. The UNCG Kinesiology department was well represented. This included PAAD2 investigator, Dr. Wideman, as a co-author of 3 poster presentations and 1 oral presentation, and post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Bechke, as the lead author of a poster presentation in the women’s health and wellbeing session.
The conference hosted researchers from all over the United States, with the majority from the Southeast region. Lots of information was communicated throughout 3 days of symposiums, tutorials, and presentations. To pass on some of the knowledge shared at this year’s SEACSM conference, here are summaries of 3 presentations that reported research findings and 3 presentations explaining their in-progress research studies and goals.
3 Research Findings Presented at the SEACSM Conference
1. Reducing Chronic Pain Through Group-Based Meetings, Wake Forest University (Winston Salem, NC)
Researchers from Wake Forest University presented findings from the Mobile Health Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health (MORPH) research study during a poster presentation session. Study participants, ages 55-85 and with chronic pain, were randomly assigned to attend weekly group-based meetings for 12 weeks or to not attend the meetings. Meetings focused on improving health and reducing pain caused by body weight. Results showed an improvement in self-efficacy (belief in own ability to execute a goal) was associated with weight loss and the reduction of pain intensity, only for those in the group that attended meetings. Part of the authors’ conclusion stated, “In the long-term, we hope to better equip individuals with tools to improve their lifestyle and in turn better the health of the country.”
2. Traditional Versus Modern Devices for Measuring Body Composition, University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)
Researchers from the University of Central Florida presented findings related to the evolution of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices. BIA devices are used to measure body composition (fat, muscle, water, bone) in weight and percentage by placing electrodes on the body. Past research, using a traditional-style BIA device (electrodes on the wrist, shoulder, hip, and ankle), shows reliability between whole-body and half-body measurements (stronger relationship between whole-body and right-side). Half-body measurements are preferred because they take less time and are less invasive for participants. The current study explored the relationship between whole-body and half-body measurements using a modern-style BIA device, which places electrodes on both hands and feet (omitting the shoulder and hip). There were 103 participants ages 60 and older. Results showed a stronger relationship between whole-body and right-side, which aligns with past research. This means the traditional-style and modern-style devices appear to be comparable.
3. College Students Perceptions Toward Working with Older Adults, Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC)
A researcher from Winthrop University presented a poster presentation about undergraduate students’ perceptions of working with an older population. As part of their coursework, 20 undergraduate students delivered an exercise program developed by Dr. Crandall at Western Kentucky University to older adults. Both before and after the program, the students completed a survey assessing their attitudes toward working with an older population. Results showed a significant change was observed in the students’ perceptions after the program, compared to before the program. Before the program, 76.4% of students reported they were uninterested in or unsure about working with older adults. However, after the program, 70.6% of students reported they would enjoy working with an older population and 76.5% of students stated their experience was positive.
3 Research Studies Presented at the SEACSM Conference
1. Cognitive and/or Physical Differences in Grandparents Providing Care for Grandchildren compared to Grandparents Who Don’t, Roanoke College (Salem, VA)
Researchers from Roanoke College presented their plans for a study to better understand cognition and physical activity differences when providing care to a grandchild. The study will recruit 50 participants ages 65 and older. There will be 2 groups; those who provide care to a grandchild at least once a week and those who do not. The researchers hypothesize that grandparents who provide care to a grandchild will have higher levels of both physical activity and cognition than grandparents who do not provide care to a grandchild.
2. Combining Balance and Cognitive Training to Reduce Fall Risk, Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC)
Researchers from Bob Jones University presented their plans for a pilot study about fall risk in the elderly population during a poster presentation session. The study will examine healthy adults ages 60 and older to determine whether combining balance and cognitive training is more effective in improving balance than balance training alone. They plan to randomly assign participants to 3 groups: (1) balance and cognitive exercises, (2) balance exercises only, and (3) control group performing no exercises. The researchers hypothesize that the group completing balance and cognitive training will show greater improvements in balance compared to the group completing balance exercises only and the control group.
3. Exploring Ketone Supplementation on Blood Pressure, Georgia Southern University (Savannah, GA)
Researchers from Georgia Southern University presented their plans for a study exploring the effect of ketone supplementation on blood pressure. Ketone bodies are produced by the liver and have been shown as important regulators of the cardiovascular system. Ketone supplementation is a strategy to increase ketone bodies by taking an over-the-counter supplement. The purpose of this study is to increase the limited data about ketone supplementation and blood pressure, particularly nighttime blood pressure. The study will recruit middle-aged adults for a randomized, placebo-controlled study. The researchers hypothesize that ketone supplementation will reduce nighttime blood pressure compared to the placebo.
