1.
Validity of Research-Grade Actigraphy Unit for Measuring Exercise Intensity.
Han, KT, Wang, PC
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2017;(5)
Abstract
This study was conducted in a free-living setting to investigate the measurement validity of a research-based actigraph for strolling and jogging, and to provide a reference for actual practice and research. Because inadequate physical activity (PA) or sedentary lifestyle has become the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide, many countries have been vigorously promoting the concept of "active living", and the public has been investing greater effort into intensifying their PA. Although research-grade actigraphs have been widely applied to evaluate PA in routine environments, the measurement results may not accurately reflect the wearers' PA. Unlike most relevant research, which is conducted in well-controlled laboratory environments, the present study was implemented in the field to examine the sensitivity and convergent validity of the MicroMini Motionlogger® Actigraph during strolling and jogging. The following results were revealed: (1) Although the exercise movement speed while jogging was significantly faster than that while strolling, the actigraph readings showed no significant difference between strolling and jogging; (2) The actigraph readings were (significantly or nonsignificantly) negatively correlated with metabolic heat and nonsignificantly correlated with movement speeds. Hence, the actigraph validity for measuring PA intensity while strolling and jogging remains debatable.
2.
Applying social cognitive career theory to registered dietitian research involvement: a randomized controlled trial.
King, C, Byham-Gray, L, Parrott, JS, O'Sullivan Maillet, J, Roberts, MM, Splett, P
Journal of allied health. 2014;(4):201-11
Abstract
UNLABELLED The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of a social cognitive career theory (SCCT)-based educational intervention combined with an evidence-based practice (EBP) continuing professional education (CPE) program (standard-plus group) as compared to the EBPCPE program alone (standard group) and a no-treatment control on research outcome constructs (research self-efficacy, research outcome expectations, research interest and research involvement) in dietitians. METHODS This randomized controlled trial measured the effect of an online 14-week educational intervention, with measurements made pre- and post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. A randomly selected list of registered dietitians (RDs), who reported clinical nutrition as their primary practice area, was obtained from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Subjects (n=580) were randomly assigned to three study groups, and 47.2% (n=272) completed data collection. RESULTS The treatment effect between the groups was significantly different for research self-efficacy (p<0.001) and research involvement (p=0.005), with positive effects observed in the standard-plus and standard groups. There were no significant effects for research outcome expectations and research interest. CONCLUSIONS This is the first known application of SCCT to RD research involvement as a career-related behavioral outcome, and it demonstrated that a significant increase in research self-efficacy occurs following participation in an educational intervention on EBP.