Research and Publications - Department of Human Environmental Sciences, General

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Browsing Research and Publications - Department of Human Environmental Sciences, General by Author "Aguiar, Elroy J."

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    The Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an eHealth Lifestyle Program in Women with Recent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study
    (MDPI, 2020) Rollo, Megan E.; Baldwin, Jennifer N.; Hutchesson, Melinda; Aguiar, Elroy J.; Wynne, Katie; Young, Ashley; Callister, Robin; Haslam, Rebecca; Collins, Clare E.; University of Newcastle; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Self-administered eHealth interventions provide a potential low-cost solution for reducing diabetes risk. The aim of this pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the feasibility, including recruitment, retention, preliminary efficacy (primary outcome) and acceptability (secondary outcome) of the "Body Balance Beyond" eHealth intervention in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Women with overweight/obesity who had recent GDM (previous 24 months) were randomised into one of three groups: 1) high personalisation (access to "Body Balance Beyond" website, individual telehealth coaching via video call by a dietitian and exercise physiologist, and text message support); 2) low personalisation (website only); or 3) waitlist control. To evaluate preliminary efficacy, weight (kg), glycosylated hemoglobin, type A1C (HbA1c), cholesterol (total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)), diet quality and moderate-vigorous physical activity were analysed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months using generalised linear mixed models. To investigate acceptability, process evaluation was conducted at 3 and 6 months. Of the 327 potential participants screened, 42 women (mean age 33.5 +/- 4.0 years and BMI 32.4 +/- 4.3 kg/m(2)) were randomised, with 30 (71%) completing the study. Retention at 6 months was 80%, 54% and 79% for high personalisation, low personalisation and waitlist control, respectively (reasons: personal/work commitments, n = 4; started weight-loss diet, n = 1; pregnant, n = 1; resources not useful, n = 1; and not contactable, n = 5). No significant group-by-time interactions were observed for preliminary efficacy outcomes, with the exception of HDL cholesterol, where a difference favoured the low personalisation group relative to the control (p = 0.028). The majority (91%) of women accessed the website in the first 3 months and 57% from 4-6 months. The website provided useful information for 95% and 92% of women at 3 and 6 months, respectively, although only a third of women found it motivating (30% and 25% at 3 and 6 months, respectively). Most women agreed that the telehealth coaching increased their confidence for improving diet (85%) and physical activity (92%) behaviours, although fewer women regarded the text messages as positive (22% and 31% for improving diet and physical activity, respectively). The majority of women (82% at 3 months and 87% at 6 months) in the high personalisation group would recommend the program to other women with GDM. Recruiting and retaining women with a recent diagnosis of GDM is challenging. The "Body Balance Beyond" website combined with telehealth coaching via video call is largely acceptable and useful for women with recent GDM. Further analysis of the effect on diabetes risk reduction in a larger study is needed.
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    Hemodynamic Responses to Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction Using a Practical Method Versus a Traditional Cuff-Inflation System
    (MDPI, 2022) Winchester, Lee J.; Blake, Morgan T.; Fleming, Abby R.; Aguiar, Elroy J.; Fedewa, Michael, V; Esco, Michael R.; Earley, Ryan L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    The aim of this study was to examine the potential differences in acute hemodynamic responses and muscular performance outcomes following resistance exercise between traditional blood flow restriction (TRA(BFR)) and a novel band tissue flossing method (BTFBFR). METHODS: Fifteen healthy young adults (23.27 +/- 2.69 years) visited the lab for three sessions (>= 72 h apart). Each session's exercise consisted of three sets of 20 maximum-effort seated leg extensions and flexions with one of three conditions: control (CON), TRA(BFR) (50% limb occlusion pressure (LOP)), or BTFBFR. During TRA(BFR) and BTFBFR sessions, occlusion was applied immediately prior to exercise and removed immediately after. Heart rate was collected prior to exercise, after onset of occlusion, immediately after exercise, and one-minute after removal of occlusion. Ultrasonography was performed prior to, and at least 30 s after, occlusion. RESULTS: BTFBFR caused greater reductions in arterial distance (14.28%, p = 0.010) and arterial area (28.43%, p = 0.020) than TRA(BFR). BTFBFR was able to significantly reduce arterial flow below pre-occlusion values, while TRA(BFR) did not. Both conditions caused significant elevations in heart rate following occlusion (TRA(BFR): +4.67 bpm, p = 0.046 and BTFBFR: +6.07 bpm, p = 0.034), immediately post-exercise (TRA(BFR): +56.93 bpm, p < 0.001 and BTFBFR: +52.79 bpm, p < 0.001) and one-minute post-exercise (TRA(BFR): +15.71, p = 0.003 and BTFBFR: +14.57, p < 0.001). Only BTFBFR caused significant reductions in performance as measured by average power per repetition. CONCLUSIONS: BTFBFR causes a more exaggerated decrease in arterial blood flow as well as muscular power when compared to traditional TRA(BFR) at 50% of LOP.