Effect of Low or High Intensity Aerobic Exercise and the Association to Cardiovascular Halth Conditions for College-Aged Students

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of low or high intensity aerobic exercise over a three-week intervention period, and the relationship to physiological responses before and after exercise for college aged students. Subjects included were male and female (n=7). Measures were the following: Height (cm), weight (kg), blood pressure (mmHg), heart rate (b* min.-1) and maximal oxygen consumption (ml*kg-1*min.-1). Subjects were classified as physically active or inactive college-aged students. The participants performed a volitional fatigue test on a treadmill ergometer for both the pre and post-test by utilizing the Bruce Protocol. Blood pressure (mmHg) was taken on the left arm with a table sphygmomanometer (Riester) and with medical stethoscopes (Riester). Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured with a metabolic heart (i.e., KORRTM). The testing procedure for the pre and post-test was a volitional fatigue test with heart rate conducted every minute, and blood pressure measured before and after the exercise for each participant. The low intensity exercise included 3 sessions of aerobic exercise a week performed on a treadmill, with the duration of 20 minutes of exercise each session, and between 50-70% of the participant’s maximal heart rate (obtained from the aforementioned maximal test). The high intensity exercise included 3 sessions of aerobic exercise a week performed on a treadmill, with the duration of 20 minutes of exercise each session, and between 75-90% of the participant’s maximal heart rate. Statistical significance was set a priori at p \u3c 0.05. Mean (SD) demographic measures were the following: age 19.6 (1.4) y; height 169 (5.4) cm; weight 76.2 (15.5) kg; Pre Max HR and Post Max HR had significant (p\u3c0.05) association with a correlation coefficient (r=.86), and a coefficient of determination (r2=.74). There were also a significant correlation among blood pressure from pre and post measures. Pre recovery SBP and post rest SBP were significantly associated with a correlation coefficient (r=.90), and a coefficient of determination (r2=.81). In conclusion, aerobic exercise exhibited influence on physiological responses. Specifically, pre recovery SBP response could act as a marker for chronic SBP response following an exercise intervention

Metabolic Efficiency During Ramp Test in Collegiate Cyclists

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine trend-line patterns for efficiency in collegiate, competitive cyclists. METHODS: Subjects included 17male and 6 female (n=23) . Measures were the following: age (y), height (cm), weight (kg), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max, mL*kg-1*min.-1), maximal heart rate (MHR, b*min.-1), blood lactate (BLa, mM) and maximal power (w). Subjects were fit, collegiate cyclists competing for Midwestern State University cycling team. Each subject performed a cycle ergometer test utilizing the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) cycle ergometer protocol. Blood lactate was determined by removing 10µl each minute during the cycle ergometer test to volitional fatigue. Oxygen consumption (VO2, mL*kg-1*min.-1) per power output (watts) was calculated as metabolic efficiency (VO2*watts-1). Trend-line analysis was correlated with metabolic efficiency in response to VO2 per work at each stage . Statistical significance was set a priori at p \u3c 0.05. Results: Mean (SD) demographic measures were the following: age (y) 22.8 (3.8); height (cm) 169.4 (16.9); weight (kg) 74.6 (5.20); Metabolic efficiency (VO2*watts-1) indicated a power curvilinear trend-line. Male data averaged across power output resulted in a mathematical power trend-line with a coefficient of determination of R2=.898. Female data averaged across power resulted in a power trend-line with a coefficient of determination of R2=.943. Conclusion: During the cycle ergometer test, cyclists exhibited an enhanced metabolic efficiency as work increased. However, trend-line analysis indicated a plateau as the subjects neared volitional fatigue

Human Factors that Derail Extension Services Delivery in Developing Countries: Implications for Policy

The paper examines human factors derailing extension services delivery in developing countries. Poor management of rewards and incentives; quality of work life; poor assessment system; limited quality of human resource; inadequate extension support training materials; inconsistencies of government programmes; inadequate staff training and poor extension programme evaluation were viewed as major constraints. Considering the role of extension to agricultural development, the paper recommends that efforts should be made by the various stakeholders in agricultural extension services to improve the capability of human resources involved in extension services and highlights the need for government agricultural programmes to be consistent to enable the beneficiaries of such programmes derive the benefits that will boost productivity in agriculture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i2.14015 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (2): 54-57, December, 201

Assessment of Use of Indigenous Maize Storage Practices among Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study assessed the use of indigenous maize storage practices among farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Data for the study was collected by the use of interview schedule from a sample of 60 respondents. Percentage, mean score and standard deviation were used for analyzing data collected for the study. Results revealed that the farmers were using indigenous technologies such as baskets, aerial (over fire) in the kitchen, bare floors, among others in storing maize. The respondents indicated that they stored maize cobs undehusked in order to overcome wastage and obtained information about indigenous storage of maize from parents and fellow farmers. Major problems militating against effective storage of maize include: attack of pests such as rodents and weevils, diseases, termite attack and use of poor quality storage materials. The respondents indicated that use of materials free from termite, clearing of surroundings against fire disaster; use of durable materials treated with insecticides will help to solve the problems. The study recommends that provision of appropriate and affordable storage structures should be made available to the maize farmers in order to avoid wasting of the produce under storage. This will help to ensure food security among rural farm households. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v2i2.14014 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 2 (2): 48-53, December, 201

Challenges faced by cocoyam farmers in adapting to climate change in Southeast Nigeria

The study examined the challenges faced by cocoyam farmers in adapting to climate change in Southeast, Nigeria. Three hundred and eighty-four respondents selected through multi-stage sampling technique were used for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Findings showed that majority were females (67%), married (92%) and maintain average household size of 6 persons and a mean age of 51 years. They were mainly primary (32%) and secondary (34%) school certificate holders with farming (77%) as their major occupation. The major cropping pattern practiced was mixed farming with cassava (63%) and maize (58%) as the major crops cultivated by the farmers. Majority of the farmers owned farms of one hectare and below accessed mainly through inheritance (76%) and labour sourced mainly through hiring (50%). Most (81%) of the farmers have spent more than ten years in farming. Climate change information was accessed mainly through their personal experience (64%), radio (42%) and fellow villagers (39%). The study identified eight major challenges faced by cocoyam farmers in adapting to climate change namely Lack/high cost of farm inputs and low soil fertility (Factor 1), Land and labour constraints (Factor 2), Poor access to information and ineffectiveness of cooperatives (Factor 3), lack of/poor access to fund and credit facilities and poor government support (Factor 4), lack of improved varieties of cocoyam (factor 5), poor value attached to cocoyam (Factor 6), poor infrastructural capacity and technology know-how (Factor 7) and Transportation constraint (Factor 8). Analysis of variance identified significant variations in the challenges faced by cocoyam farmers in the study area. The study recommends enrollment in cooperatives and revitalizing existing cooperatives, re-orientation of farmers on the benefits of cocoyam and increased used of climate change information sharing using mobile phones as possible ways of alleviating the challenges

The Implications of Information and Communication Technology on Tax Administration in the Growth and Development of Nigeria’s Economy

This paper focuses on the implications of Information and Communication Technology on Tax administration in the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy. Three research questions and three hypothesis guided the study. The study was a descriptive survey design with a population of 180 respondents randomly sampled and selected among the staff of Federal Board of Internal Revenue and State Board of Internal Revenue in Delta State. A six point likert type of questionnaire was developed, validated and administered to the respondents through simple random sampling technique. The responses gathered were coded and analyzed using independent t-test statistics for data analysis. Three null hypothesis were formulated and tested at critical t-test value of 1.96 at 0.05 level of significance. Based on the findings that resulted from this study, it was concluded that the availabilities of ICT tools/facilities, the use of Information and Communication Technology, and the presence of ICT tax administrators will lead to better, effective and efficient running of the day-to-day tax related activities, filing of tax returns, tax processing and computations of tax payment liabilities. It was also recommended that Government should equip the nation’s tax offices and agencies with adequate ICT tools and facilities and also seminars and workshops should occasionally be organized to acquaint tax administrators and the relevant tax agencies on the practical use and applications of ICT tools and facilities in enhancing tax compliance

Metabolic syndrome in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus using NCEP.ATP III, the Nnewi experience

Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is becoming epidemic and several studies have shown that diabetes is associated with increased co.morbidities and impaired functional health in the general adult population. Type 2 diabetes is one of the co.morbidities associated with metabolic syndrome that carries with it increased risk of cardiovasculardisease and death. The purpose of this study is therefore to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects seen at Nnewi South East Nigeria.Design and Setting: This is a cross.sectional study in newly diagnosed diabetics attending a private hospital.Hope Specialist Hospital, Nnewi.Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighteen (118) newly diagnosed diabetic patients were recruited into the study consisting of those who on routine screening were found to have elevated blood glucose or were symptomatic of the disease and presented for treatment.Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 13. Studentfs t.test was used for continuous variables, and a ƒÔ2 test was used for categorical variables. In the analyses a P..value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Of the 118 subjects, 25 were removed from the study because their samples were lost as a result of prolonged power outage leaving 93 subjects consisting of 47 males and 46 females. The mean (SD) and the range of age was 55.27 (12.55) years, 24.84 years; SBP 153.52 (29.83) mmHg,100.230 mmHg; DBP 94.23 (15.42) mmHg, 60.140 mmHg;TC 5.17 (1.4) mmol/L, 2.0.11.12 mmol/L; LDL.C 2.06 (1.55) mmol/L, 0.1.9.4 mmol/L; HDL.C 1.28 (0.48) mmol/L, 0.15.2.8 mmol/L; TG 1.75 (0.85) mmol/L, 0.50.5.0 mmol/L; BMI 30.30 (6.23) kg/m2, 17.84.49.12 kg/m2; and WC of the general population mean (SD) 96.86 (7.16) cm, range 84.112 cm; for men 101.40 (3.88) cm, range 85.108 cm and for women 92.22 (6.77) cm, 84.112 cm. Metabolic syndrome was found in 62 (66.7%) subjects of which 26 (41.9%) were males and 36 (58.1%) were females (P < 0.019). The prevalence of different components of metabolic syndrome was as follows:hypertension was found in 75 (80.6%): 37 males and 38 females (P = 0.635), dyslipidemia in 31 (60.8%): 19 males and12 females (P = 0.572). Obesity was found in 23 (45.1%): 8 males and 15 females (P < 0.014). Of the study subjects 33 had hypertension prior to the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Seventeen males had hypertriglyceridemia against 11 females (P = 0.357). Equal number of males and females (11 each) had low HDL..C (P = 0.603).Conclusion: The study shows that metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and the most common risk factor is hypertension

Echocardiographic specrtrum of heart disease in a secondary missionary healthcare facility in Onitsha south east Nigeria

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death world wide with 80% of these deaths occurring in low and middle income countries. Echocardiography has become the most common and cost effective cardiac imaging modality available in the diagnosis of heart disease. The non-invasive nature of echocardiography has made it the preferred imaging modality in the evaluation of cardiac structure and function.In Nigeria echocardiography is widely available in tertiary  hospitals which are predominantly government funded. Echocardiography is increasingly becoming available in secondary health facilities and private health facilities.There is dearth of data on echocardiographic pattern of heart disease in Anambra state.Aim:The aim of this study was to identify the spectrum of heart disease on echocardiography in a large mission hospital in the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra state.Materials and Methods: A 3- year retrospective audit of 725  vechocardiogram reports at a specialist mission hospital in the commercial city of Onitsha, South East Nigeria from January 2014 to December 2016 was carried out.Data was analyzed for demographics,indication for echocardiography and diagnosis.Result: There were 364 males (50.2% ) and 361(49.8%) females.The age range of the subjects was 6months to 100 years.The mean age was 54.6 ±17.4. Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) (42.9%) was the most common indication for echocardiography followed by heart failure (21.6%).HHD (58%) was the most common heart disease followed by dilated  cardiomyopathy (7.4%) and valvular heart disease(6.1%).61(8.1%) subjects had normal echocardiogram.Conclusion:Hypertensive heart disease is the most common indication for echocardiography and also the predominant cause of heart disease in Onitsha,South East Nigeria followed by dilated cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease