International Journal of Exercise Science 15(3): 1444-1456, 2022. Phase angle (PhA) is an index of cell membrane integrity and prognostic indicator of survival and quality of life in cancer survivors. The efficacy of exercise-based cancer rehabilitation programs (ExCR) on PhA is unknown. To assess the effect of ExCR on PhA in breast cancer survivors. Fifty-nine female breast cancer survivors (61 ± 9 years) were referred to the ExCR by their oncologist and participated in one-on-one exercise-based training for 90 minutes, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. Training sessions included 45 minutes of resistance training at intensities between 40-85% of 1-repetition maximum with a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) between 3-8, 30 minutes of cardiorespiratory training at intensities between 40-85% of heart rate reserve with an RPE between 3-8, and 15 minutes of flexibility training. Participants completed pre- and post-measurements of body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and PhA (Inbody 770). PhA significantly increased (p < 0.05) after ExCR (PhApre = 4.56; PhApost = 4.64; Δ = 1.8%). Changes in measures of muscular strength have a weak but significant positive relationship (r = 0.20-0.39; p < 0.05) with changes in PhA. There was no relationship between changes in PhA and changes in cardiorespiratory endurance or muscular endurance. A 12-week ExCR significantly improves PhA in breast cancer survivors. Training muscular strength may be an integral component of ExCR with the objective of improving PhA.

An approach that provides a standardized way of continuing rehabilitative care to help patients return to their lives and activities of daily living (ADL) in an economical and efficient manner is the Team Kinesiology Model (TKM). Many patients who are given a life-altering diagnosis (i.e., paralysis due to spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, or cancer) are unable to return to employment, their family or a pre-diagnosis quality of life (QOL) given the current health care resources. This is a longstanding, and urgent problem as population aging and rising multi-morbidity is projected to negatively impact all regions of the world. Utilization of mid-level rehabilitation services is a proposed method to increase accessibility to all populations, including those of lower socioeconomic status or minority populations. Capitalizing on this idea, we describe two different programs that use the TKM to provide rehabilitative services to patients who were diagnosed with nervous system dysfunction or cancer. This model benefits the patient by improving physical fitness, psychosocial function, and QOL. Furthermore, we provide specific examples that show how this approach could have further-reaching impacts on society, education and research. Integrating kinesiologists and TKM in health care could assist in workflow, long-term health surveillance, rehabilitation and improvement of QOL.

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 115-128, 2024. The addition of wearable technology during a 3-minute all-out overground running test (3MAOT) could provide additional insights to guide training and coaching strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between critical speed (CS) and biomechanical parameters (cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, stance time, form power, leg spring stiffness, and impact loading rate), and changes in biomechanical parameters throughout the 3MAOT. Sixty-three (male, n=37, female, n=26) recreationally active college-aged (23.4±3.9 years) subjects completed a 3MAOT while wearing a Stryd foot-pod. The correlations between CS and biomechanical parameters were evaluated using Pearson coefficients. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were used to test if biomechanical parameters could predict CS. Stance time and impact loading rate explained 69% and 63% of the variance in CS, respectively (R2=0.69, p<0.05; R2=0.63, p<0.05). Step-wise multiple linear regression analysis indicated that vertical oscillation, stance time, form power, leg spring stiffness, and impact loading rate explained 90% of the variance in CS (R2=0.90, p<0.05). Throughout the 3MAOT, changes in cadence (-29%), stride length (57%), vertical oscillation (-8%), stance time (82%), form power (-5%), leg spring stiffness (-24%), and impact loading rate (-48%) were observed. Interventions such as auditory cueing or training designed to improve CS should focus on maintaining large impact loading rates and short stance times, and efforts should be made to enhance an athlete's ability to maintain cadence, leg spring stiffness, vertical oscillation, and form power throughout the 3MAOT.