Teste de sentar-levantar: relação com a mortalidade por todas as causas e com a flexibilidade

Sabe-se que um estilo de vida sedentário e uma condição aeróbica baixa são associados com uma maior chance de desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares e um maior risco de mortalidade por todas as causas. Contudo, é possível que outros indicadores de aptidão física possam ter significado clínico prognóstico. Originalmente proposto em 1999, o teste de sentar-levantar (TSL) é, simples de executar e possui comprovada reprodutibilidade inter e intra-avaliador. O avaliado inicia o teste com o escore máximo de 5 pontos para cada uma das ações de sentar e levantar, sendo subtraído do mesmo, um ponto para cada apoio extra utilizado (mão, braço e joelho) e meio ponto para cada desequilíbrio corporal perceptível. A pontuação do TSL escore, variando de 0 a 10, é realizada pela soma das ações de sentar e levantar. Considerando o potencial papel da flexibilidade para uma execução mais eficiente de gestos motores, não é surpreendente que o desempenho sobre TSL possa ser influenciado por essa valência. O objetivo desta dissertação foi analisar a relação entre o resultado do TSL e a mortalidade por todas as causas e a flexibilidade. No primeiro estudo, 2002 indivíduos entre 51 e 80 anos (68% homens), realizaram o TSL e os resultados foram estratificados em quatro faixas: 0/3; 3,5/5,5, 6/7,5 and 8/10. Baixos resultados no TSL escore foram associados com um maior risco de mortalidade (p<0,001). Uma tendência contínua de maior sobrevivência se refletiu no ajuste multivariado idade, sexo, índice de massa corporal em um razão de risco de 5,44 [95%IC=3,19,5], 3,44 [95%IC=2,05,9] e 1,84 [95%IC=1,13,0] (p<0,001) dos menores para as maiores faixas de resultados do TSL. Cada aumento de um ponto no escore do TSL significou uma melhora de 21% na sobrevivência. Já o segundo estudo, contou com 3927 indivíduos (67,4% homens) que realizaram o TSL e o Flexiteste. O Flexiteste avalia a amplitude máxima passiva de 20 movimentos corporais. Para cada um dos movimentos, existem cinco escores possíveis, 0 a 4 em uma ordem de mobilidade crescente. A soma dos resultados dos 20 movimentos fornece uma pontuação de flexibilidade global denominada de Flexíndice (FLX). Os resultados do FLX foram estratificados em quartis (626, 2735, 3644 and 4577). Os valores do TSL em cada quartil diferiram entre si (p<0,001). Além disso, o escore do TSL e o FLX foram diretamente associados (r=0,296; p<0,001). Os indivíduos com um TSL escore zero são menos flexíveis para todos os 20 movimentos do Flexiteste do que aqueles com escore 10. Portanto, os dados da presente dissertação, indicam que: o resultado do TSL se mostrou um importante preditor de mortalidade por todas as causas para indivíduos entre 51-80 anos de idade e que indivíduos mais flexíveis tendem a ter maiores escores no TSL.

Aspectos da condição aeróbica e da flexibilidade em futebolistas profissionais e em participantes de programas de exercício supervisionado

As melhorias funcionais após uma rotina regular de exercícios físicos nem sempre se traduzem em uma idêntica melhoria da condição aeróbica (AER). O objetivo foi identificar se uma rotina regular de exercícios é capaz de manter ou atenuar a queda do condicionamento aeróbico e funcional, bem como se a diferença nas melhorias nestas variáveis, em indivíduos idosos, pode ser explicada por variações em flexibilidade e força/potência muscular. No primeiro estudo, 176 jogadores profissionais de futebol foram divididos em tercis em relação à idade. Obtivemos o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) e frequência cardíaca (FC), além do perfil de flexibilidade global utilizando o Flexiteste (FLX). Dados de pré-temporada (2005-2011) dos tercis extremos (n=54), mais jovem (17-22 anos) e mais velhos (27-36 anos), foram comparados. Os efeitos do envelhecimento foram avaliados pela comparação do VO2, da FC e de regressões lineares de FLX versus valores previstos para a idade. Os resultados foram semelhantes para VO2max, 62,76,1 vs 63,26,2 mL.(kg.min)-1, (p=0,67), e para FLX, 435,9 vs 416,0, respectivamente (p=0,11), o tercil mais jovem apresentou valores mais altos de FCmáx, 1948,1 vs 1898,8 bpm, (p<0,01). Os jogadores não apresentaram a diminuição prevista no VO2max, enquanto FCmax e FLX diminuiram. No segundo estudo utilizou-se dados de 144 pacientes com idade de 6212 anos submetidos a testes de FLX, força/potência muscular e cardiopulmonar de exercício máximo em cicloergômetro de membros inferiores, após pelo menos 3 meses de participação em um programa de exercício supervisionado (PES). A correlação de Pearson foi calculada para avaliar as associações entre a diferença nas melhorias funcional e aeróbica (DEMFA) e as variações de FLX, força de preensão manual (FPM) e potência muscular (POT) e também entre os valores da primeira avaliação de AER e capacidade funcional (FUN) e as respectivas melhorias e o DEMFA. Após uma média de 32 meses de PES, houve aumento da FLX em 11,6% (p<0,01) e da POT em 14,7% (p<0,01), ajustadas para a idade, com preservação da FPM (p=0,47). Houve uma relação inversa entre os resultados da primeira avaliação e a melhoria AER (r=-0,28; p<0,01). Considerando os valores previstos, a AER aumentou menos do que a FUN - 21% versus 25% (p<0,01). A melhoria na FLX associou-se ao DEMFA (r=0,24; p<0,01). Assim, os estudos mostraram: a) ao manter uma rotina regular de exercícios, principalmente aeróbicos, o VO2 não reduz com a idade em futebolistas entre os 16 e 36 anos, apesar de uma redução na FCmax. b) a participação regular em um PES proporciona melhorias de componentes da aptidão física de pacientes promovendo a restauração dos resultados para equivalentes aos previstos para indivíduos saudáveis. c) uma melhoria da FLX contribui para uma maior melhoria da FUN do que da AER

Development and validation of a sport-specific exercise protocol for elite youth soccer players

Thatcher, Rhys, and Alan Batterham, 'Development and validation of a sport-specific exercise protocol for elite youth soccer players', Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, (2004) 44(1) pp.15-22 RAE2008

Suplementos ergogénicos

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas

Art as an educative and social tool

Since remote times, certain sectors of society have been exposed to inequality and vulnerability, where adequate intervention processes have become conspicuous because of their absence. Nowadays, current societies have the responsibility of contributing, based on their experience and knowledge, with more efficient policies and programs that improve the life quality of the most disadvantaged. It is here where art and its different tools play a very important role, not only on a physical level, but also as an education tool that allows the development of emotional, mental and communicative skills. The aim of this paper is to make clear the potential of art as an instrument of social and educational intervention. It starts by showing worldwide-collected experience related to education and arts, and then, it acquaints the reader with two parallel intervention projects that worked with youths under social vulnerability conditions. These interventions were developed based on a qualitative research (Grounded theory), using as methodology “The Artistic Mediation” with emphasis on body language. This methodology helped researchers to get close to the participants and to know their experiences and emotions. At the same time, it was possible to evidence the positive effects of educative interventions through art. These workshops were based on an artistic methodology especially focused on body language. Data in this work is qualitative, and as such, it permits a special approach to the personal and emotional experiences of the participants; clearly showing the positive effects of the referenced practice on them.

Early alterations in serum creatine kinase and total cholesterol following high intensity eccentric muscle actions

Aim. The purpose of this experiment was to assess the levels of muscle soreness, serum total cholesterol (TC) and creatine kinase (CK) in the first 48 hours following fatiguing eccentric exercise performed with the triceps brachii.

The back 2 activity trial: education and advice versus education and advice plus a structured walking programme for chronic low back pain.:education and advice versus education and advice plus a structured walking programme for chronic low back pain

BACKGROUND: Current evidence supports the use of exercise-based treatment for chronic low back pain that encourages the patient to assume an active role in their recovery. Walking has been shown it to be an acceptable type of exercise with a low risk of injury. However, it is not known whether structured physical activity programmes are any more effective than giving advice to remain active.

METHODS/DESIGN: The proposed study will test the feasibility of using a pedometer-driven walking programme, as an adjunct to a standard education and advice session in participants with chronic low back pain. Fifty adult participants will be recruited via a number of different sources. Baseline outcome measures including self reported function; objective physical activity levels; fear-avoidance beliefs and health-related quality of life will be recorded. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated under strict, double blind conditions to one of two treatments groups. Participants in group A will receive a single education and advice session with a physiotherapist based on the content of the 'Back Book'. Participants in group B will receive the same education and advice session. In addition, they will also receive a graded pedometer-driven walking programme prescribed by the physiotherapist. Follow up outcomes will be recorded by the same researcher, who will remain blinded to group allocation, at eight weeks and six months post randomisation. A qualitative exploration of participants' perception of walking will also be examined by use of focus groups at the end of the intervention. As a feasibility study, treatment effects will be represented by point estimates and confidence intervals. The assessment of participant satisfaction will be tabulated, as will adherence levels and any recorded difficulties or adverse events experienced by the participants or therapists. This information will be used to modify the planned interventions to be used in a larger randomised controlled trial.

DISCUSSION: This paper describes the rationale and design of a study which will test the feasibility of using a structured, pedometer-driven walking programme in participants with chronic low back pain.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: [ISRCTN67030896].

Lung consequences in adults born prematurely

Although survival has improved significantly in recent years, prematurity remains a major cause of infant and childhood mortality and morbidity. Preterm births (<37 weeks of gestation) account for 8% of live births representing >50 000 live births each year in the UK. Preterm birth, irrespective of whether babies require neonatal intensive care, is associated with increased respiratory symptoms, partially reversible airflow obstruction and abnormal thoracic imaging in childhood and in young adulthood compared with those born at term. Having failed to reach their optimal peak lung function in early adulthood, there are as yet unsubstantiated concerns of accelerated lung function decline especially if exposed to noxious substances leading to chronic respiratory illness; even if the rate of decline in lung function is normal, the threshold for respiratory symptoms will be crossed early. Few adult respiratory physicians enquire about the neonatal period in their clinical practice. The management of these subjects in adulthood is largely evidence free. They are often labelled as asthmatic although the underlying mechanisms are likely to be very different. Smoking cessation, maintaining physical fitness, annual influenza immunisation and a general healthy lifestyle should be endorsed irrespective of any symptoms. There are a number of clinical and research priorities to maximise the quality of life and lung health in the longer term not least understanding the underlying mechanisms and optimising treatment, rather than extrapolating from other airway diseases.

A randomized controlled trial on the effects of combined aerobic-resistance exercise on muscle strength and fatigue, glycemic control and health-related quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients

Aim: to evaluate the effects of a 12-weeks combined aerobic-resistance exercise therapy on fatigue and isokinetic muscle strength, glycemic control and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in moderately affected type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Methods: a randomized controlled trial design was employed. Forty-three T2DM patients were assigned to an exercise group (n = 22), performing 3 weekly sessions of 60 minutes of combined aerobic-resistance exercise for 12-weeks; or a no exercise control group (n = 21). Both groups were evaluated at a baseline and after 12-weeks of exercise therapy for: 1) muscle strength and fatigue by isokinetic dynamometry; 2) plasma glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C); and 3) HRQoL utilizing the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: the exercise therapy led to improvements in muscle fatigue in knee extensors (-55%) and increased muscle strength in knee flexors and extensors (+15 to +30%), while HbA1C decreased (-18%). In addition, the exercising patients showed sizeable improvements in HRQoL: physical function (+53%), vitality (+21%) and mental health (+40%). Conclusion: 12-weeks of combined aerobic-resistance exercise was highly effective to improve muscle strength and fatigue, glycemic control and several aspects of HRQoL in T2DM patients. These data encourage the use of aerobic and resistance exercise in the good clinical care of T2DM.

Massa corporal e aptidão física dos militares da Marinha Portuguesa : distribuição e tendências segundo os indicadores, prevalência e possíveis consequências do excesso de peso

RESUMO - O excesso de peso (EP) é um dos mais graves problemas de Saúde Pública deste século XXI, dada a sua elevada e crescente prevalência a nível mundial, afectando um elevado número de adultos, adolescentes e crianças, com graves consequências na saúde, sendo responsável pelo aumento das doenças crónicas e pela diminuição da duração e qualidade de vida dos indivíduos. Em Portugal, a prevalência do EP afecta mais de metade da população adulta portuguesa. No meio militar, este problema é reflexo da prevalência do EP na população em geral e, para além das consequências económicas e na saúde, prejudica a aparência militar e pode comprometer a aptidão física. Pretende-se com realizar um estudo exploratório, com vista a realizar uma primeira abordagem do conhecimento do perfil e tendências do índice de massa corporal (IMC), bem como da prevalência do EP e, ainda, de possíveis associações entre o EP e a aptidão física, numa amostra representativa de militares no activo da Marinha Portuguesa (MP). Com os resultados deste estudo pretende-se alertar, pela primeira vez, para a problemática do EP no meio militar, contribuindo também para ampliar o conhecimento da prevalência do EP em subgrupos da população nacional. Os resultados obtidos poderão servir de base para a constituição de um sistema de vigilância, para um correcto entendimento da evolução da tendência do IMC e da prevalência de EP dos militares da MP, bem como disponibilizar uma base de partida para outros estudos, focando os determinantes do EP associados a estilos de vida. ------------ABSTRACT - Overweight and obesity severe Public Health problems of the XXI Century due to its high and increasing worldwide prevalence, including Portugal, and it afects a high number of adults, adolescents and children, with serious health consequences, being responsible for the increase of chronic diseases and for lower life quality and lower life expectancy. In Portugal, overweight prevalence affects more than half of adult’s population. Among the Navy, overweight problem reflects population’s tendency, and, besides it’s economic and health consequences, can affect military image and can jeopardize physical fitness with consequences in the Navy response and performance. This study carries out an exploratory first approach of body’s mass index profile and trends, as well the prevalence of overweight in a representative sample of on duty Portuguese Navy staff, and the potential links between overweight and physical fitness among this population. It outcome seeks, for the first time, to draw attention to the overweight problematic among Navy staff, being also a way to enhance the knowledge of overweight prevalence among population sub-groups. It outcome can be a starting point for the set up of monitoring systems, for a correct understanding body’s mass index evolution trends and the prevalence Navy staff overweight, being also a foundation for other studies, foc

Feasibility and acceptability of an exergame intervention for schizophrenia

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an exergame intervention as a tool to promote physical activity in outpatients with schizophrenia. Design Feasibility/Acceptability Study and Quasi-Experimental Trial. Method Sixteen outpatients with schizophrenia received treatment as usual and they all completed an 8-week exergame intervention using Microsoft Kinect® (20 min sessions, biweekly). Participants completed pre and post treatment assessments regarding functional mobility (Timed Up and Go Test), functional fitness performance (Senior Fitness Test), motor neurological soft signs (Brief Motor Scale), hand grip strength (digital dynamometer), static balance (force plate), speed of processing (Trail Making Test), schizophrenia-related symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and functioning (Personal and Social Performance Scale). The EG group completed an acceptability questionnaire after the intervention. Results Attrition rate was 18.75% and 69.23% of the participants completed the intervention within the proposed schedule. Baseline clinical traits were not related to game performance indicators. Over 90% of the participants rated the intervention as satisfactory and interactive. Most participants (76.9%) agreed that this intervention promotes healthier lifestyles and is an acceptable alternative to perform physical activity. Repeated-measures MANOVA analyses found no significant multivariate effects for combined outcomes. Conclusion This study established the feasibility and acceptability of an exergame intervention for outpatients with schizophrenia. The intervention proved to be an appealing alternative to physical activity. Future trials should include larger sample sizes, explore patients' adherence to home-based exergames and consider greater intervention dosage (length, session duration, and/or frequency) in order to achieve potential effects.

Contribuição para o estudo da fibromialgia : análise de variáveis de aptidão física, de composição corporal e capacidade funcional

A presente dissertação pretendeu verificar o efeito de um programa de exercício supervisionado versus domiciliário, de intensidade moderada, com a duração de 16 semanas, na aptidão física de pessoas com fibromialgia. Houve necessidade de ajustamento dos objetivos e analisaram-se os dados obtidos no primeiro momento de avaliação, pretendendo-se analisar a relação entre variáveis de aptidão física, contribuindo para a compreensão da aptidão física de pessoas com fibromialgia. Apresentam-se e analisam-se variáveis de aptidão física e os resultados do efeito do exercício a nível de composição corporal, capacidade cardiorrespiratória e capacidade funcional. Neste âmbito realizaram-se 5 estudos. No estudo I analisou-se a precisão de diferentes equações preditivas de consumo de oxigénio, que utilizam a distância caminhada no teste de marcha de 6 minutos e propõe-se uma atualização para a equação específica para esta população. No estudo II observou-se a relação entre o consumo de oxigénio, composição corporal e força muscular. No estudo III avaliou-se a precisão de equações preditivas de composição corporal utilizando pregas adiposas e a densitometria de raio-X de dupla energia como método de referência. No estudo IV verificou-se qual o índice que melhor reflete a composição corporal destas mulheres. No estudo V analisou-se a associação entre a frequência cardíaca de recuperação, após um teste de esforço máximo e o consumo de oxigénio. Os principais resultados reforçam os resultados anteriores de que a população estudada apresenta diminuição da aptidão física, da capacidade funcional e valores de composição corporal indicativos de excesso de peso. Não apresentaram alterações autonómicas e verificou-se que a distância caminhada durante o teste de marcha de 6 minutos, a idade, percentagem de massa gorda e a massa magra apendicular são preditores do VO2 pico. Após a intervenção as participantes apresentaram alterações positivas a nível da aptidão física.

Influence of a lifestyle intervention in preschool children on physiological and psychological parameters (Ballabeina): study design of a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Childhood obesity and physical inactivity are increasing dramatically worldwide. Children of low socioeconomic status and/or children of migrant background are especially at risk. In general, the overall effectiveness of school-based programs on health-related outcomes has been disappointing. A special gap exists for younger children and in high risk groups. This paper describes the rationale, design, curriculum, and evaluation of a multicenter preschool randomized intervention study conducted in areas with a high migrant population in two out of 26 Swiss cantons. Twenty preschool classes in the German (canton St. Gallen) and another 20 in the French (canton Vaud) part of Switzerland were separately selected and randomized to an intervention and a control arm by the use of opaque envelopes. The multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention aimed to increase physical activity and sleep duration, to reinforce healthy nutrition and eating behaviour, and to reduce media use. According to the ecological model, it included children, their parents and the teachers. The regular teachers performed the majority of the intervention and were supported by a local health promoter. The intervention included physical activity lessons, adaptation of the built infrastructure; promotion of regional extracurricular physical activity; playful lessons about nutrition, media use and sleep, funny homework cards and information materials for teachers and parents. It lasted one school year. Baseline and post-intervention evaluations were performed in both arms. Primary outcome measures included BMI and aerobic fitness (20 m shuttle run test). Secondary outcomes included total (skinfolds, bioelectrical impedance) and central (waist circumference) body fat, motor abilities (obstacle course, static and dynamic balance), physical activity and sleep duration (accelerometry and questionnaires), nutritional behaviour and food intake, media use, quality of life and signs of hyperactivity (questionnaires), attention and spatial working memory ability (two validated tests). Researchers were blinded to group allocation. The purpose of this paper is to outline the design of a school-based multicenter cluster randomized, controlled trial aiming to reduce body mass index and to increase aerobic fitness in preschool children in culturally different parts of Switzerland with a high migrant population. Trial Registration: (clinicaltrials.gov) NCT00674544.

Obese and fit adolescents have lower blood pressure levels than obese and unfit counterparts.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of physical fitness on the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and body fat (BF) on blood pressure (BP) levels. Cross-sectional study conducted in 25 schools of Lisbon (Portugal), including 2041 boys and 1995 girls aged 10-18. BF was assessed by bioimpedance. Cardiovascular fitness was assessed by the 20-meter shuttle run and classified as fit/unfit. Obesity (BMI or BF defined) was defined according to international criteria. In both sexes, BMI was positively related with systolic and diastolic BP, while BF was only positively related with diastolic BP z-scores. No interaction was found between fitness and BMI categories regarding BP levels, while for BF a significant interaction was found. Being fit reduced the BF-induced increase in the Odds ratio (OR) of presenting with high BP: OR (95% confidence interval) 1.01 (0.73-1.40) and 0.99 (0.70-1.38) for overweight and obese fit boys, respectively, the corresponding values for unfit overweight and obese boys being 1.33 (0.94-1.90) and 1.75 (1.34-2.28), respectively. The values were 0.88 (0.57-1.35) and 1.66 (0.98-2.80) for overweight and obese fit girls, respectively, the corresponding values for unfit overweight and obese being 1.63 (1.12-2.37) and 1.90 (1.32-2.73) respectively. No interaction was found between fitness and BMI-defined overweight and obesity. Being fit reduces the negative impact of BF on BP levels and high BP status in adolescents. This protective effect was not found with BMI.

The exercise leader's gender and physique salience : effects on self-presentational concerns in an exercise context

Self-presentation is the process by which individuals attempt to monitor and control how others perceive and evaluate them (Leary, 1992; Leary & Kowalski, 1990). Self-presentational concerns have been shown to influence a number of exercise-related behaviours, cognitions, and affective responses to exercise (e.g., social anxiety). Social anxiety occurs when an individual wants to create a specific impression on others, but is unsure (s)he will be successful (Leary & Kowalski, 1995). Social physique anxiety (SPA) is a specific form of social anxiety related the evaluation of one's body (Hart, Leary, & Rejeski, 1989). Both social anxiety and SPA may act as deterrents to exercise (Lantz, Hardy, & Ainsworth, 1997; Leary, 1992), so it is important to examine factors that may influence social anxiety and SPA; one such factor is self-presentational efficacy (SPE). SPE is one's confidence in successfully making desired impressions on others (Leary & Atherton, 1986) and has been associated with social anxiety and SPA (Leary & Kowalski, 1995; Gammage, Martin Ginis, & Hall, 2004). Several aspects of the exercise environment, such as the presence of mirrors, clothing, and the exercise leader or other participant characteristics, may be manipulated to influence self-presentational concerns (e.g., Gammage, Martin Ginis et aI., 2004; Martin & Fox, 2001; Martin Ginis, Prapavessis, & Haase, 2005). Given that the exercise leader has been recognized as one of the most important influences in the group exercise context (Franklin, 1988), it is important to further examine how the leader may impact self-presentational concerns. The present study examined the impact of the exercise leader's gender and physique salience (i.e., the extent to which the body was emphasized) on SPE, state social anxiety (SSA), and state social physique anxiety (SPA-S) of women in a live exercise class. Eighty-seven college-aged female non- or infrequent exercisers (i.e., exercised 2 or fewer times per week) participated in a group exercise class led by one of four leaders: a female whose physique was salient; a female whose physique was non-salient; a male whose physique was salient; or a male whose physique was non-salient. Participants completed measures of SPE, SSA, and SPA-S prior to and following completion of a 30- minute group exercise class. In addition, a measure of social comparison to the exercise leader and other participants with respect to attractiveness, skill, and fitness was completed by participants following the exercise class. A MANOV A was conducted to examine differences between groups on postexercise variables. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between groups on measures ofSPE, SSA, or SPA-S (allp's > .05). However, when all participants were collapsed into one group, a MANOV A showed a significant time effect (F(3, 81) = 19.45,p < .05, 1')2= .419). Follow-up ANOVAs indicated that post-exercise SPE increased significantly, while SSA and SPA-S decreased significantly (SPE: F(I, 83) = 30.87,p < .001,1')2 = .27; SSA: F(I,83) = 11.09,p < .001, 1')2 = .12; SPA-S: F (1,83) = 42.79,p < .001, 1')2 = .34). Further, results of a MANOVA revealed that participants who believed they were less fit than other group members (i.e., made negative social comparisons) reported significantly more post-exercise SSA and SP A-S than those who believed they were more fit than the other participants (i.e., made positive comparisons; SSA: F(2, 84) = 3.46, p < .05, 1')2 = .08; SPA-S: F(2, 84) = 5.69, p < .05, 1')2 = .12). These results may indicate that successfully completing an exercise class may serve as a source of SPE and lead to reduced social anxiety and SPA-S in this population. Alternatively, characteristics of the exercise leader may be less important than characteristics of the other participants. These results also suggest that the types of social comparisons made may influence self-presentational concerns in this sample. Future research should examine how the type of social comparison (i.e., negative or positive) made to the other group members may either generate or reduce anxiety. Also, factors that contribute to the types of social comparisons made with other exercisers should be examined. Implications for practice and research are discussed.