Project Stepcount

Study description: The purpose of this study is to see if and how a web-based step-count feedback program promotes walking behavior in older adults. If you want to be more physically active and you have been sedentary for the last six months then you could qualify for this exciting new study. We are looking for 300 adults 50-80 years old that are currently inactive, have daily access to the internet, have no limitations to walking, and have no cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic diseases.

On the day of your first testing session: We will have you fill out various questionnaires and measure your resting blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, and waist circumference. You will complete a short treadmill walking test at 2 and 3 mph. Lastly, you will be oriented to a pedometer, log, and one-day diary and sent off to complete a seven-day physical activity monitoring period.

On the second visit: Two weeks after your first visit, you will receive a bone mineral density and body composition test. Please wear/bring clothing free of metal for this test. This test will expose you to a very small dose of radiation to take a picture of your bones. The amount of radiation exposure is similar to the amount you would accumulate if your spent the whole day out in the sun. We will draw a small sample of blood to analyze your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. There will also be several pencil/paper surveys for you to complete. After the physiological data has been collected you will be randomized into one of three groups. You will be orientated to the use of a pedometer and/or a website and/or physical activity log that you will be using daily for 12-weeks. The goal of the program is to slowly increase the number of steps you take per week.

On the third visit: Upon completion of the 12-week intervention, you will repeat the bone mineral density and body composition test as well as the blood draw, treadmill walking test, and surveys.

Participation in this study includes monthly gift cards to those who make their goals and monetary compensation for completing the intervention.

Project Pedometer Intervention

Study Description: The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that increase physical activity in adults aged 50-85 years. We are looking for 150 participants to complete this study. The study involves 4 visits lasting approximately 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.

On the day of your first testing session: You will report to the Physical Activity & Health Research Lab where we will measure your heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, and the distance around your waist and hips. We will also ask you to provide us with some information on your health history and the health history of your family and ask that you complete one survey.  You will wear a pedometer and accelerometer for 1 week so we can assess your physical activity behavior. 

If you meet our criteria for inactivity, on the second visit we will ask you to complete another two surveys.  Lastly, we will assign you to one of three groups and orient you to wearing a pedometer and accelerometer and utilizing different techniques to increase your physical activity level for the 4 week intervention.   

Two weeks into the study you will return to the lab to exchange your accelerometer and after week 4 (third visit), you will be asked to return to the lab one last time to repeat the physical measurements and the surveys (fourth visit). 

Project Intensity

Study description:This reserach study is designed to determine the ability of an accelerometer to predict intensity of physical activity across age groups. You will be one of 210 individuals taking part in this study between the ages of 20-80 years.

On the day of your testing session: We will measure your height, weight, resting heart rate and resting blood pressure. We will aslo ask you to provide us with some information on your health history and the health history of your family. We will ask you to walk on a treadmill for approximately 30 minutes at a low to moderate intensity (2.0 mph up to 4 mph in half mile increments and then potentially 6.0, 7.0 mph or until you reach 85% of your estimated heart rate max).

Participation in this study includes the gift of a coffee/tea mug.

Project PAAS - Physical Activity Assessment Study

Study Description: You are invited to participate in this research study if you are between the ages of 18-80 years, do not use a walking aid, do not have uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, had a prior heart attacks, stroke, are currently pregnant, or have a current history of severe arthritis or other condition preventing you from being physically active. 

A total of about 200 people are expected to be enrolled in this study that includes 1 visit at the Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert Hospital and three visits at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

The purpose of this study is to develop more accurate methods to assess physical activity behavior in an adult population.  This study is important as it will allow more precise measures of physical activity, and results will better our understanding of how physical activity improves health. 

Visit 1 at MCW:
On the first day of your testing session, you will report to the Medical College of Wisconsin where we will measure your heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, and the distance around your waist and hips. We will also ask you to provide us with some information on your health history and the health history of your family.  We will assess your resting metabolic rate where you will lie flat on your back for 20-40 minutes and we place a plastic hood over your head and shoulders.  You can breathe normally during this test.  This will tell us how many calories you are burning at rest.  Then we will ask you to complete a maximal exercise test on a treadmill.  This test takes approximately 8-12 minutes and we will be monitoring your heart rate and rhythm during the test.  You are always in control and can stop at any time.  You will be wearing a mouthpiece similar to a snorkel and headgear as well as a noseclip. You will be able to breathe normally through your mouth during the test.  Also, we will place 10 sticky pads on your skin around the chest to monitor your heart throughout the test.  You will start by walking at 1.0 mph and 0% grade for 1 minute. Each minute thereafter, the grade and speed will increase until you cannot continue.  

Visits 2-4 at UWM:
During these three visits we will ask you to complete a series of tasks including a short walking and/or running test on the treadmill.  Additionally, we will ask you to complete a sequence of different activities of daily living such as vacuuming or mopping while wearing a small monitor around the waist and a heart rate monitor around the chest.  Additionally, you will complete a series of functional tests ranging from 2-9 minutes with 5 minutes of rest between tests. At the same time we will monitor the air you breathe with a portable facemask around your nose and mouth.  We also will ask you to wear a few monitors around a band at your waist to assess your intensity levels during the activities. There will be a body composition test on the DXA (dual energy xray absorptiometer) which will provide information on your fat versus fat free mass.  

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a research participant, please complete the form below and click the "submit" button.  

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Please enter the name of the test you are interested in below in the comments section. Thank you.

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