Melanie Adams
Keene State College, Physical Education, Faculty Member
This cross-sectional descriptive study was initiated to investigate the relationship between physical activity and perceived quality of life in a lower-limb amputee population. The objective was to show which aspects of physical activity... more
This cross-sectional descriptive study was initiated to investigate the relationship between physical activity and perceived quality of life in a lower-limb amputee population. The objective was to show which aspects of physical activity were most strongly linked to quality-of-life factors in this special patient group. The outcome measurements were two questionnaires: a section of the Trinity Amputation and Prosthetic Experience Scales (TAPES) and the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-Bref). The former measures activity restriction and has Athletic, Functional, and Social subscales. The latter includes Physical, Psychological, Social, and Environmental domains, and measures the…
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Sedentary behavior (SB) has emerged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While exercise is known to reduce these risks, reducing SB through increases in non-structured PA and breaks from sitting... more
Sedentary behavior (SB) has emerged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While exercise is known to reduce these risks, reducing SB through increases in non-structured PA and breaks from sitting may appeal to obese women who have lower self-efficacy for PA. This study examined effects of a combined face-to-face and online intervention to reduce SB in overweight and obese women. A two-group quasi-experimental study was used with measures taken pre and post. Female volunteers (M age = 58.5, SD = 12.5 years) were enrolled in the intervention (n = 40) or waitlisted (n = 24). The intervention, based on the Social Cognitive Theory, combined group sessions with email messages over 6 weeks. Individualized feedback to support mastery and peer models of active behaviors were included in the emails. Participants self-monitored PA with a pedometer. Baseline and post measures of PA and SB were assessed by accelerometer and self-report. Standard measures o...
Research Interests:
Despite the clear relationship between physical activity and quality of life, few sound, relevant quality of life measures exist. Gill and colleagues developed a 32-item quality of life survey, and provided initial psychometric evidence.... more
Despite the clear relationship between physical activity and quality of life, few sound, relevant quality of life measures exist. Gill and colleagues developed a 32-item quality of life survey, and provided initial psychometric evidence. This study further examined that quality of life survey in comparison with the widely used short form (SF-36) health survey. Participants (n = 446) completed the quality of life survey, short form (36) health survey, World Health Organization quality of life measure, satisfaction with life scale, and the Godin physical activity measure. All quality of life survey scales (emotional, social, spiritual, physical, activities of daily living, cognitive, integrated) were internally consistent (alpha .79–.95) and test–retest correlations ranged from .68 to .82. The SF-36 had similar internal consistency, slightly lower test–retest correlations, and weaker relationships with satisfaction with life scale. Quality of life survey scales correlated with matching SF-36 and World Health Organization quality of life measure subscales supporting convergent validity. The quality of life survey reflects positive health models better than the SF-36, and is more appropriate for research and programs that focus on physical activity and health promotion.
Research Interests:
Even with adequate levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior contributes to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Reducing sedentary behavior through increased daily movements, not solely exercise, can reduce health risks;... more
Even with adequate levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior contributes to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Reducing sedentary behavior through increased daily movements, not solely exercise, can reduce health risks; particularly for women who are inactive and overweight. This study examined an intervention to increase overweight women’s self-efficacy for reducing sedentary behavior. Volunteers (M age =58.5 yrs, M BMI =36) were waitlisted (n = 24) or enrolled in the intervention (n = 40), called On Our Feet, which combined face-to-face sessions and e-mail messages over 6 weeks. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured by accelerometer and self-report. A 4-item survey assessed self-efficacy. Process evaluations included participant ratings of intervention components and open-ended questions. Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed no changes in accelerometer-determined physical activity or sedentary behavior, but a significant multivariate interaction was fo...
Research Interests:
Sedentary behavior (SB) has emerged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While exercise is known to reduce these risks, reducing SB through increases in non-structured PA and breaks from sitting... more
Sedentary behavior (SB) has emerged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While exercise is known to reduce these risks, reducing SB through increases in non-structured PA and breaks from sitting may appeal to obese women who have lower self-efficacy for PA. This study examined effects of a combined face-to-face and online intervention to reduce SB in overweight and obese women. A two-group quasi-experimental study was used with measures taken pre and post. Female volunteers (M age = 58.5, SD = 12.5 years) were enrolled in the intervention (n = 40) or waitlisted (n = 24). The intervention, based on the Social Cognitive Theory, combined group sessions with email messages over 6 weeks. Individualized feedback to support mastery and peer models of active behaviors were included in the emails. Participants self-monitored PA with a pedometer. Baseline and post measures of PA and SB were assessed by accelerometer and self-report. Standard measures o...