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PCPFS Research Digests

We are working on having all of our digests available in both PDF and HTML formats.


June 2007:
Exercising in the Heat and Sun
PDF or HTML

March 2007:
A History of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest
PDF or HTML

December 2006:
Physical Activity and the Built Environment
PDF or HTML

September 2006:
The Role of Schools in Preventing Childhood Obesity
PDF or HTML

June 2006:
Are People Physically Inactive Because of Their Genes?
PDF or HTML

March 2006:
Sports and Character Development
PDF or HTML

December 2005:
Physical Activity and Nontraditional CHD Risk Factors: New Pathways for Primordial Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease
PDF or HTML

September 2005:
Progression and Resistance Training
PDF or HTML

June 2005:
Physical Activity in Minority Populations: Overcoming a Public Health Challenge
PDF or HTML

March 2005:
Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: Incidence of Use and Health Implications
PDF or HTML

December 2004:
Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women: How Much Physical Activity is "Good Enough"?
PDF or HTML

September 2004:
Seeing Ourselves Through the Obesity Epidemic
PDF or HTML

June 2004:
Physical Activity for Children: Current Patterns and Guidelines
PDF or HTML

March 2004:
Nutrition and Physical Activity: Fueling the Active Individual
PDF or HTML

December 2003:
Increasing Physical Activity in Communities: What Really Works?
PDF or HTML

September 2003:
Youth Resistance Training
PDF or HTML

June 2003:
The Compendium of Physical Activities
PDF or HTML

March 2003:
Physical Activity and The Stages of Motivational Readiness for Change Model
PDF or HTML

December 2002:
Making Sense of Multiple Physical Activity Recommendations
PDF or HTML

September 2002:
Dose-Response Issues Concerning the Relations Between Regular Physical Activity and Health
PDF or HTML

Taking Steps Toward Increased Physical Activity: Using Pedometers to Measure and Motivate (June 2002)
The new Presidential Active Lifestyle Award recommends counting the minutes of activity or measuring the number of steps with a pedometer to promote regular physical activity. This Digest summarizes evidence on the use of pedometers for measurement purposes and on their use as a motivational tool in adopting and maintaining the habit of regular physical activity. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Cost and Consequences of Sedentary Living: New Battleground for an Old Enemy (March 2002)
Estimates that sedentary living (Sedentary Death Syndrome) results in 250,000 premature deaths and $150 billion in direct and indirect costs. Article provides details about the costs of the Sedentary Death Syndrome and explains how to help reduce these preventable deaths and expenses. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Toward a Uniform Definition of Wellness: A Commentary (December 2001)
The terms "fitness" and "wellness" are often used interchangeably by both the general public as well as health professionals. The co-editors discuss the perceptions on the above terms and help lay people understand what wellness is, and what it is NOT. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Tracking of Physical Activity Across the Lifespan (September 2001)
Many factors influence physical activity during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The author proposes a biocultural approach to tracking physical activity across the lifespan. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Does Exercise Alter Immune Function and Respiratory Infections? (June 2001)
The author discusses the relationship between exercise and the immune system and cites numerous studies showing that people who exercise regularly report fewer colds than their sedentary peers. Other topics discussed include whether to rest or exercise when sick; vigorous activity and immune function; changes in immunity following prolonged, intensive exercise; and resting immune function in both athletes and non athletes. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Healthy People 2010: Physical Activity and Fitness (March 2001)
The authors review Healthy People 2010, the national disease prevention and health promotion initiatives for the next decade, identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For the first time, ten Leading Health Indicators (LHI) have been identified, which highlight the major health priorities for the nation. They include individual behaviors, physical and social environmental factors, and health systems affecting the health of individuals and communities. Physical Activity tops the LHI list. Includes a summary of the 15 goals within the physical activity and fitness focus area (focus area 22) of Healthy People 2010. All 28 focus area chapters can be viewed at www.health.gov/healthypeople. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity Protects Against the Health Risks of Obesity (December 2000)
The authors cite the obesity epidemic but focus on the premise that the public health burden associated with obesity would be greatly reduced if a larger percentage of the population became physically active. This PCPFS Research Digest emphasizes the moderating influence of physical activity and fitness on the health risks associated with obesity. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Motivating Kids in Physical Activity (September 2000)
The author discusses three major motives responsible for youth maintaining and increasing physical activity participation levels: to develop and demonstrate physical competence; to gain social acceptance and support; and, third, to have fun. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Current Issues in Flexibility Fitness (June 2000)
One of the fitness components, flexibility is important for range of motion achievable without injury to a joint or a group of joints. This Digest examines several topics related to flexibility fitness including definitions, health-related benefits, and current recommendations for safe and effective development of flexibility. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Definitions: Health, Fitness, and Physical Activity (March 2000)
Learn the words and the meanings of terminology commonly used today and applied in the Research Digest publication series of the PCPFS. Gives specific definitions and explanations of terms such as wellness, metabolic fitness, body composition, bone integrity, and other language often applied in discussing physical activity and fitness. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Questionable Exercises (December 1999)
Choose exercises you can do safely to help achieve specific fitness goals (e.g. improve flexibility, strength, cardiovascular endurance). If done incorrectly or by individuals with poor physical fitness, some exercises may damage the neck, lower back, knee joints and other vulnerable areas of the exerciser's body. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity Promotion and School Physical Education (September 1999)
Makes a concise and compelling case that children and youth can learn and acquire beneficial lifestyle behaviors through regular physical activity in quality school physical education programs. Presents data useful for action by individuals, schools, communities, professional associations, and agencies striving to combat the dismal state of physical activity and nutrition among the nation's young people. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Adolescence: A "Risk Factor" for Physical Inactivity (June 1999)
Become aware of barriers that may keep teenagers away from regular physical activity and exercise habits and overcome this issue. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity & Fitness for Persons with Disabilities (March 1999)
People with disabilities have many challenges; however, review the numerous health benefits they can attain from exercise — they are similar as in people without disabilities. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity & Aging:  Implications for Health & Quality of Life in Older Persons (December 1998)
Review the physiological, psychological and social benefits of regular physical activity and exercise on our rapidly aging population and how physical activity can improve our quality of life. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity for Young People (September 1998)
Learn up to date information about physical activity promotion for youth, and receive a summary of the latest guidelines. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Nutritional Erogogenics & Sports Performance (June 1998)
Review the latest evidence on the use of nutritional products to increase performance. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Psycho-Physiological Contributions of Physical Activity & Sports for Girls (March 1998)
Explore the physical, social and emotional benefits girls derive from physical activity, fitness and sports participation. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

The Influence of Exercise on Mental Health (December 1997)
Examine current research on exercise and physical activity and its relationship to positive mental health. Click or select: PDF or HTML

Youth Sports in America: An Overview (September 1997)
Review how sports participation that emphasizes skill building and socially acceptable responses to personal relations is a proven popular aid in the education of youth. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity & The Prevention Of Type II (Non-Insulin Dependent) Diabetes (June 1997)
Explore how a physically active lifestyle can be a prudent strategy for those who are at risk for Type II Diabetes. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Personalizing Physical Activity Prescription (March 1997)
Learn how to individualize physical activity recommendations by using the individual's current activity status and their health, fitness and performance goals. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Resistance Training for Health (December 1996)
Explore how adding strength training to regular physical activity can help decrease the risk of chronic diseases while improving the quality of life and functional living. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Economic Benefits of Physical Activity (September 1996)
Consider whether Americans' increased participation in physical activity may help reduce healthcare costs by avoiding treatment costs in the first place. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

What You Need to Know About The Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health (July 1996)
Get the facts — just the facts — from the first ever Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity and Women's Health (March 1996)
Explore how increasing physical activity among girls and women can reduce the risk of heart disease, various cancers, hypertension, stroke and non-insulin diabetes. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Health Benefits of Physical Activity During Childhood & Adolescence (December 1995)
Identify means of keeping young people motivated to maintain an active lifestyle. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Osteoporosis & Physical Activity (September 1995)
Explore how weight-bearing physical activity and exercise may increase bone mass and density and reduce osteoporosis. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity & Cancer (June 1995)
Explore data and the relationship between physical activity and various cancers. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity in the Prevention & Management of Coronary Heart Disease (March 1995)
Examine the potential value of maintaining an active and fit lifestyle in coronary heart disease prevention and cardiac rehabilitation. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Toward an Understanding of Appropriate Physical Activity Levels for Youth (November 1994)
Learn various and appropriate methods for establishing optimal physical activity levels for youth by applying the Lifetime Physical Activity Model. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Influences on Physical Activity of Children, Adolescents, & Adults (August 1994)
Discover some of the factors that make some adults and youths more physically active than others and how programs can be made more effective. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Exercise, Obesity, & Weight Control (May 1994)
Learn the facts on physical activity, fitness and exercise and how it can impact on an individual's weight. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Readiness for Physical Activity (February 1994)
Find out how an individual can determine when they're ready to start and stay with a well-designed program of aerobic and muscle-resistance exercises. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Heredity & Health-Related Fitness (November 1993)
Learn about the importance of heredity as a factor affecting the development of health-related physical fitness. Two people of different genetic backgrounds can do the exact same exercise program and get quite different benefits. The results summarized indicate that genetic variation accounts for most of the individual differences in the response to regular exercise of health-related fitness components and of various risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Fitness & Healthy Low Back Function (August 1993)
Learn the connections between flexibility, strength and endurance, and healthy low back functions. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

Physical Activity & Intrinsic Motivation (May 1993)
Discover what motivates individuals to be active on a regular basis. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

The Health Benefits of Physical Activity (February 1993)
Explore the health benefits of physical activity and fitness, including the prevention of certain maladies. Click or select to download: PDF or HTML

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