Background: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a teaching strategy utilised in both the general clas... more Background: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a teaching strategy utilised in both the general classroom and physical education. Through the interaction with same-age or cross-age peers, learning can occur across various domains. Purpose: This review aimed to identify school-based PAL interventions and assess the tutor training provided, as well as the capacity of interventions to influence skill performance, physical activity and physical education participation, health and nutrition behaviours and anthropometric outcomes. ...
An on-line questionnaire was completed by 115 physical education teachers to establish the barrie... more An on-line questionnaire was completed by 115 physical education teachers to establish the barriers to their implementation of physical education in Victorian state secondary schools. In addition, the barriers perceived by teachers to impact on students' participation in school-based physical education and physical activity were examined. The barriers to the provision of physical education were found to be largely institutional, although two-thirds of respondents recognised their own difficulties in engaging students when teaching as potential obstacles to student participation. Students were also perceived to be influenced by their own (45 per cent) and their peers (62 per cent) low levels of interest when choosing to participate. An awareness of these barriers has implications for physical education teaching, curriculum design, teacher training and adolescent participation in the school environment.
Regular resistance exercise completed for a number of weeks has been shown to increase insulin se... more Regular resistance exercise completed for a number of weeks has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. However, the acute responses to resistance exercise have not been adequately investigated in relation to training frequency. To investigate the changes to insulin sensitivity in apparently healthy individuals following a single session of unaccustomed resistance exercise. Ten sedentary, apparently healthy individuals performed a baseline oral glucose tolerance test and maximal strength testing. Participants then performed a single session of moderate-high intensity resistance exercise which was followed by 4 consecutive days of oral glucose tolerance testing, for which participants replicated their initial diet. Mean estimated insulin sensitivity change scores from baseline values and their 95% confidence intervals were compared to the previously determined values for a clinically meaningful change. Two participants were id...
Resistance exercise is recommended as part of the exercise guidelines to prevent and manage type ... more Resistance exercise is recommended as part of the exercise guidelines to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, the frequency of exercise required to improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity is not clear. We recruited and tested 10 individuals with T2D by collecting a fasting blood sample immediately prior to, a whole-body moderate-high intensity resistance exercise session, and 24, 48 and 72 h afterwards. No changes to estimates of insulin sensitivity (HOMA2), glucose or insulin were observed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (p > 0.05). Further, there were no changes observed to markers of inflammation at 24 h following the resistance exercise session (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that insulin sensitivity is not acutely modified, positively or negatively, at 24, 48 or 72 h after a bout of resistance exercise. Nor are markers of inflammation altered during this time frame in a way that could cause transient insulin resistance.
The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, ... more The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, further exposure to physical activity. Taking a whole-school approach is highly bene cial in endorsing and reinforcing positive physical activity messages that can be sustained over time .
Monitoring physical activity is important to better individualise health and fitness benefits. Th... more Monitoring physical activity is important to better individualise health and fitness benefits. This study assessed the concurrent validity of a smartphone global positioning system (GPS) 'app' and a sport-specific GPS device with a similar sampling rate, to measure physical activity components of speed and distance, compared to a higher sampling sport-specific GPS device. Thirty-eight (21 female, 17 male) participants, mean age of 24.68, s = 6.46 years, completed two 2.400 km trials around an all-weather athletics track wearing GPSports Pro™ (PRO), GPSports WiSpi™ (WISPI) and an iPhone™ with a Motion X GPS™ 'app' (MOTIONX). Statistical agreement, assessed using t-tests and Bland-Altman plots, indicated an (mean; 95% LOA) underestimation of 2% for average speed (0.126 km·h(-1); -0.389 to 0.642; p < .001), 1.7% for maximal speed (0.442 km·h(-1); -2.676 to 3.561; p = .018) and 1.9% for distance (0.045 km; -0.140 to 0.232; p < .001) by MOTIONX compared to that measured by PRO. In contrast, compared to PRO, WISPI overestimated average speed (0.232 km·h(-1); -0.376 to 0.088; p < .001) and distance (0.083 km; -0.129 to -0.038; p < .001) by 3.5% whilst underestimating maximal speed by 2.5% (0.474 km·h(-1); -1.152 to 2.099; p < .001). Despite the statistically significant difference, the MOTIONX measures intensity of physical activity, with a similar error as WISPI, to an acceptable level for population-based monitoring in unimpeded open-air environments. This presents a low-cost, minimal burden opportunity to remotely monitor physical activity participation to improve the prescription of exercise as medicine.
The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, ... more The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, further exposure to physical activity. Taking a whole-school approach is highly bene cial in endorsing and reinforcing positive physical activity messages that can be sustained over time .
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 2013
Patient health status (PHS) and peak oxygen uptake (V.O2) are important predictors of clinical ou... more Patient health status (PHS) and peak oxygen uptake (V.O2) are important predictors of clinical outcomes in individuals with heart failure. Preliminary studies of individuals with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) show improvements in both PHS and peak V.O2. However, the relationship between peak V.O2 and PHS in this population is not well described. Likewise, data regarding muscular strength are also lacking in this population. We sought to describe the association between peak V.O2, muscular strength, and PHS in patients with continuous-flow LVADs. Subjects (n = 26; 7 women) completed a symptom-limited graded exercise test within an average of 82 days (range, 33-167 days) of LVAD implant. In addition, subjects underwent a 6-Minute Walk Test and an isokinetic knee extension strength test and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Spearman correlation coefficients were performed, adjusting for body weight and gender, to examine relationships between variables. Muscular strength, as measured by peak torque, and peak V.O2 were both moderately associated with the KCCQ (r = 0.58, P = .006; r = 0.51, P = .019). A subanalysis revealed that muscular strength and peak V.O2 were related to different domains within the KCCQ. Leg muscle strength and peak V.O2 appear to be important factors related to PHS in patients with continuous-flow LVADs. This is likely partially a result of deconditioning due to recent hospitalization, as well as persistent heart failure-related peripheral maladaptations in skeletal muscle. Incorporating both a cardiovascular as well as strength training program before and after LVAD implant surgery may be beneficial.
Background: An emerging public health strategy is to enhance children's opportunities to be physi... more Background: An emerging public health strategy is to enhance children's opportunities to be physically active during school break periods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Lunchtime Enjoyment Activity and Play (LEAP) school playground intervention on primary school children's quality of life (QOL), enjoyment and participation in physical activity (PA).
Despite an increase in the provision of effective school-based interventions in recent times, the... more Despite an increase in the provision of effective school-based interventions in recent times, there is an absence of literature for teachers focusing on the translation of promising interventions into real-world practice. The aim of this research was to provide a social-ecological guide for teachers of the external validity of implementing the Lunchtime Enjoyment Activity and Play (LEAP) school playground intervention. This research presents the process evaluation of a school playground intervention using RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) as the theoretical evaluation framework. Data collection consisted of a mixed methods approach for two and a half years including a teacher focus group, direct observations and field notes. The process evaluation confirms the LEAP intervention as cost-effective, sustainable and transferable that is capable of enhancing multiple social-ecological factors within a school playground.
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2013
The glycemic response to aerobic exercise is well understood; however, the response to resistance... more The glycemic response to aerobic exercise is well understood; however, the response to resistance exercise is not. Eight inactive males (61.0 ± 7.2 years) with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes randomly completed single sessions of whole-body resistance exercise or cycling, 7 days apart. There were different 24-h glucose responses (p < 0.001) between the resistance exercise and the aerobic exercise, with short-term (24-h) impairment of glycemic control following the resistance exercise (p = 0.004). Cycling did not reduce glucose concentrations (p > 0.05), which contrasts with previous findings.
Background: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a teaching strategy utilised in both the general clas... more Background: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a teaching strategy utilised in both the general classroom and physical education. Through the interaction with same-age or cross-age peers, learning can occur across various domains. Purpose: This review aimed to identify school-based PAL interventions and assess the tutor training provided, as well as the capacity of interventions to influence skill performance, physical activity and physical education participation, health and nutrition behaviours and anthropometric outcomes. ...
An on-line questionnaire was completed by 115 physical education teachers to establish the barrie... more An on-line questionnaire was completed by 115 physical education teachers to establish the barriers to their implementation of physical education in Victorian state secondary schools. In addition, the barriers perceived by teachers to impact on students' participation in school-based physical education and physical activity were examined. The barriers to the provision of physical education were found to be largely institutional, although two-thirds of respondents recognised their own difficulties in engaging students when teaching as potential obstacles to student participation. Students were also perceived to be influenced by their own (45 per cent) and their peers (62 per cent) low levels of interest when choosing to participate. An awareness of these barriers has implications for physical education teaching, curriculum design, teacher training and adolescent participation in the school environment.
Regular resistance exercise completed for a number of weeks has been shown to increase insulin se... more Regular resistance exercise completed for a number of weeks has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. However, the acute responses to resistance exercise have not been adequately investigated in relation to training frequency. To investigate the changes to insulin sensitivity in apparently healthy individuals following a single session of unaccustomed resistance exercise. Ten sedentary, apparently healthy individuals performed a baseline oral glucose tolerance test and maximal strength testing. Participants then performed a single session of moderate-high intensity resistance exercise which was followed by 4 consecutive days of oral glucose tolerance testing, for which participants replicated their initial diet. Mean estimated insulin sensitivity change scores from baseline values and their 95% confidence intervals were compared to the previously determined values for a clinically meaningful change. Two participants were id...
Resistance exercise is recommended as part of the exercise guidelines to prevent and manage type ... more Resistance exercise is recommended as part of the exercise guidelines to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, the frequency of exercise required to improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity is not clear. We recruited and tested 10 individuals with T2D by collecting a fasting blood sample immediately prior to, a whole-body moderate-high intensity resistance exercise session, and 24, 48 and 72 h afterwards. No changes to estimates of insulin sensitivity (HOMA2), glucose or insulin were observed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (p &gt; 0.05). Further, there were no changes observed to markers of inflammation at 24 h following the resistance exercise session (p &gt; 0.05). These findings suggest that insulin sensitivity is not acutely modified, positively or negatively, at 24, 48 or 72 h after a bout of resistance exercise. Nor are markers of inflammation altered during this time frame in a way that could cause transient insulin resistance.
The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, ... more The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, further exposure to physical activity. Taking a whole-school approach is highly bene cial in endorsing and reinforcing positive physical activity messages that can be sustained over time .
Monitoring physical activity is important to better individualise health and fitness benefits. Th... more Monitoring physical activity is important to better individualise health and fitness benefits. This study assessed the concurrent validity of a smartphone global positioning system (GPS) &#39;app&#39; and a sport-specific GPS device with a similar sampling rate, to measure physical activity components of speed and distance, compared to a higher sampling sport-specific GPS device. Thirty-eight (21 female, 17 male) participants, mean age of 24.68, s = 6.46 years, completed two 2.400 km trials around an all-weather athletics track wearing GPSports Pro™ (PRO), GPSports WiSpi™ (WISPI) and an iPhone™ with a Motion X GPS™ &#39;app&#39; (MOTIONX). Statistical agreement, assessed using t-tests and Bland-Altman plots, indicated an (mean; 95% LOA) underestimation of 2% for average speed (0.126 km·h(-1); -0.389 to 0.642; p &lt; .001), 1.7% for maximal speed (0.442 km·h(-1); -2.676 to 3.561; p = .018) and 1.9% for distance (0.045 km; -0.140 to 0.232; p &lt; .001) by MOTIONX compared to that measured by PRO. In contrast, compared to PRO, WISPI overestimated average speed (0.232 km·h(-1); -0.376 to 0.088; p &lt; .001) and distance (0.083 km; -0.129 to -0.038; p &lt; .001) by 3.5% whilst underestimating maximal speed by 2.5% (0.474 km·h(-1); -1.152 to 2.099; p &lt; .001). Despite the statistically significant difference, the MOTIONX measures intensity of physical activity, with a similar error as WISPI, to an acceptable level for population-based monitoring in unimpeded open-air environments. This presents a low-cost, minimal burden opportunity to remotely monitor physical activity participation to improve the prescription of exercise as medicine.
The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, ... more The development of non-curricula school-based physical activity initiatives provides consistent, further exposure to physical activity. Taking a whole-school approach is highly bene cial in endorsing and reinforcing positive physical activity messages that can be sustained over time .
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 2013
Patient health status (PHS) and peak oxygen uptake (V.O2) are important predictors of clinical ou... more Patient health status (PHS) and peak oxygen uptake (V.O2) are important predictors of clinical outcomes in individuals with heart failure. Preliminary studies of individuals with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) show improvements in both PHS and peak V.O2. However, the relationship between peak V.O2 and PHS in this population is not well described. Likewise, data regarding muscular strength are also lacking in this population. We sought to describe the association between peak V.O2, muscular strength, and PHS in patients with continuous-flow LVADs. Subjects (n = 26; 7 women) completed a symptom-limited graded exercise test within an average of 82 days (range, 33-167 days) of LVAD implant. In addition, subjects underwent a 6-Minute Walk Test and an isokinetic knee extension strength test and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Spearman correlation coefficients were performed, adjusting for body weight and gender, to examine relationships between variables. Muscular strength, as measured by peak torque, and peak V.O2 were both moderately associated with the KCCQ (r = 0.58, P = .006; r = 0.51, P = .019). A subanalysis revealed that muscular strength and peak V.O2 were related to different domains within the KCCQ. Leg muscle strength and peak V.O2 appear to be important factors related to PHS in patients with continuous-flow LVADs. This is likely partially a result of deconditioning due to recent hospitalization, as well as persistent heart failure-related peripheral maladaptations in skeletal muscle. Incorporating both a cardiovascular as well as strength training program before and after LVAD implant surgery may be beneficial.
Background: An emerging public health strategy is to enhance children's opportunities to be physi... more Background: An emerging public health strategy is to enhance children's opportunities to be physically active during school break periods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Lunchtime Enjoyment Activity and Play (LEAP) school playground intervention on primary school children's quality of life (QOL), enjoyment and participation in physical activity (PA).
Despite an increase in the provision of effective school-based interventions in recent times, the... more Despite an increase in the provision of effective school-based interventions in recent times, there is an absence of literature for teachers focusing on the translation of promising interventions into real-world practice. The aim of this research was to provide a social-ecological guide for teachers of the external validity of implementing the Lunchtime Enjoyment Activity and Play (LEAP) school playground intervention. This research presents the process evaluation of a school playground intervention using RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) as the theoretical evaluation framework. Data collection consisted of a mixed methods approach for two and a half years including a teacher focus group, direct observations and field notes. The process evaluation confirms the LEAP intervention as cost-effective, sustainable and transferable that is capable of enhancing multiple social-ecological factors within a school playground.
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2013
The glycemic response to aerobic exercise is well understood; however, the response to resistance... more The glycemic response to aerobic exercise is well understood; however, the response to resistance exercise is not. Eight inactive males (61.0 ± 7.2 years) with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes randomly completed single sessions of whole-body resistance exercise or cycling, 7 days apart. There were different 24-h glucose responses (p < 0.001) between the resistance exercise and the aerobic exercise, with short-term (24-h) impairment of glycemic control following the resistance exercise (p = 0.004). Cycling did not reduce glucose concentrations (p > 0.05), which contrasts with previous findings.
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Papers by Amanda Benson