 |
 |
 |
 |
 Research and Development Below you will see a list of some of our current areas of wellness research and development, as well as areas which we will be addressing very soon. Following this are some of our published reports which describe the science that supports these wellness programs. Program Focus: Program overview: THE COACH APPROACH® is an evidence-based, health behavior change protocol in which exercise leaders (i.e., "wellness coaches") collaborate with new and returning adult exercisers to build the behavioral skills required to maintain a regular physical activity program. An assessment of appropriate intervention components is initially made through use of a specifically designed inventory. Typically, six wellness coach-participant meetings are held over 6 months. Curriculum components are adjusted based on the assessed needs of each participant. Social cognitive and cognitive-behavioral theory form the basis for delivery of a selection of self-management/self-regulatory skills, exercise plans "paired" with reinforcing feeling states, and the recruitment of social support systems. A dedicated computer program supports delivery and standardization of the protocol, and maximizes dissemination. Target populations: Formerly sedentary adults, overweight and obese individuals. Results: A 13-year research program included testing in wellness centers in the United Kingdom and Italy, medically based wellness facilities in the U.S., and YMCA associations in 15 U.S. cities. Findings indicate a reduction of attrition from new and returning exercisers of approximately 40 to 60% (relative to comparison conditions of typical exercise counseling). Exercise session attendance doubled, and significant physiological and mental health improvements, including significant reductions in modifiable health-risk factors, were consistently found. Additions planned: Integration with nutritional weight loss programming. Application in diabetes intervention. Further dissemination across YMCAs and other institutions. “Increasing Youth Physical Activity and Health Behaviors” Program overview: Youth Fit For LifeTM is an after-school care-based physical activity and health behavior change program directly delivered by YMCA after-school counselors (formerly untrained in physical education methods), and supported by wellness professionals from affiliated YMCA facilities. The protocol was designed for 5- to 12-year-old children and provides cardiovascular and strength training activities, along with an interactive behavioral skills training component intended to foster increased physical activity outside of school. A nutrition and health education component is also provided through collaboration with Children's Health Care of Atlanta. Target population: Children ages 5 to 12 years. Results: A 5-year research program indicates significant improvements in mood, self-concept, behavioral, and physiological measures associated with applications of Youth Fit For Life. A significant decrease in Body Mass Index was found, along with increases in voluntary physical activity completed. A significant improvement was made in behavioral measures previously associated with academic performance. Additions planned: Increased nutritional and health training to caregivers using a "consistent themes" approach. Further testing of behavioral skills training components through various health behavior change models. Assessment of applications in physical education and home-school settings. Testing in diabetes and ADD/ADHD intervention. “Weight loss and maintaining loss of weight” Program overview: The weight loss/weight loss maintenance protocol currently in development will be delivered to YMCA members primarily through group meetings at YMCA branches. The goal of this evidence-based initiative is achieving and sustaining a weight consistent with reductions in health risks and optimal health. THE COACH APPROACH® will first be initiated to establish behavioral change in physical activity, and improve self-efficacy and one's mental health profile. Self-monitoring of present food intake will then be employed. Meetings will then be used to set and establish tracking of a modified caloric intake plan based on consensus statements from the American Dietetic Association (2002) and the American College of Sports Medicine (2001). Ongoing group meetings will include a series of "lessons" around food choice, content, and preparation, behavior change methods, and the exercise and weight loss/maintenance relationship. Outcome measurement and feedback will come from a combination of weight loss and body image measures. Trials into several key aspects of the proposed model have recently been completed. Target population: Adults with a Body Mass Index > 25 (the clinical definition of over weight) or Body Mass Index > 30 (the clinical definition of obese). Results: Findings have suggested the validity of a theoretical model (Baker and Brownell, 2000; Yale University) consistent with the aforementioned intervention approach. Further research on elements of the proposed protocol is currently in peer review. “Work site-supported wellness” Program over view: The work site-supported wellness initiative is being adapted from several other successful initiatives previously delivered in the United Kingdom, and through medically based wellness centers in the U.S. It will incorporate health risk appraisals which assess both risk areas and an employee's readiness for change in risk areas. After a health risk is identified and paired with an individual's readiness to change, "stage-matched" interventions will be delivered through a company's internal communication system until the Preparation/Action Stage is attained. At that point, methods based on THE COACH APPROACH® will be delivered to improve and maintain health behaviors; moving a participant from the Action to Maintenance Stage. Sustained physical and progressive change is designed to both prevent and change modifiable health-risk factors in employees. Assessment of treatment effect will include "progress" on stages of readiness, ongoing physical and mental health evaluations, and financial impact (based on increased health and productivity) on the sponsoring company. An important adjunct will be the previously described weight loss initiative adapted to be suitable for work site-supported applications, as well as stress management applications. Target populations: Working and retired employees with and without health risks who are currently ready or not yet ready to begin health behavior changes. Results: Preliminary applications indicated substantial success at reducing health risks, and improving fitness and mental health measures. “Improving mental health through physical activity” Program overview: This initiative will focus on the use of physical activity as an alternative treatment for symptoms of depression and anxiety. It will be based on a Metro Atlanta YMCA research program which has tested differing amounts and types of physical activity for their effect on mood and mental wellness. Research is ongoing which will suggest what individuals and specific mental health problems will be targeted. Collaboration with mental health agencies will be sought. Target population: Adults with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Results: Significant reductions in depressed mood were associated with a 10-week program of moderate cardiovascular exercise in one trial. Treatment participants improved to a normal range on reported symptoms more frequently (62%) than a control group (29%). Other research investigated the association of specific physical activity plans and improvements in symptoms. “Improving the physical and mental health of special populations” Program overview: THE COACH APPROACH®, the weight management initiative, and the mental health-physical activity initiative will be adapted to special populations based on the most current scientific evidence. Evaluation of change in quality-of-life will be a focus. Target populations: Populations focused upon will include diabetics, obese individuals, cancer survivors, arthritis and osteoporosis sufferers, as well as substance-dependent (e.g., alcohol, tobacco) persons. THE COACH APPROACH® is currently within the treatment protocol of an investigation (2005-2010) of breast cancer survivors (University of California - Berkley) and obese individuals (supported by grants from Kaiser Permanente and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Results: Significant improvements in physiological functioning (e.g., cardiorespiratory function, body composition, Body Mass Index, strength, and balance) and mental health (e.g., depression, stress, energy, self-concept) were found in samples of various special groups, to date. Publications from the Supporting Research Program Books Annesi, J.J. (in press). Adherence to physical activity and weight loss behaviors. In American Council on Exercise. Lifestyle and weight management consultant manual (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: American Council on Exercise. Annesi, J.J. (1996). Enhancing exercise motivation: A guide to increasing fitness center member retention. Los Angeles: Leisure Publications. Annesi, J.J. (in press). Relations of changes in physical self-appraisal and perceived energy with weight change in obese women beginning a supported exercise and nutrition information program. Social Behavior and Personality. Annesi, J.J., & Unruh, J.L. (in press). Effects of THE COACH APPROACH® intervention on drop out rates among adults initiating exercise programs at nine YMCAs over three years. Perceptual and Motor Skills. Annesi, J.J., & Westcott, W.L. (2007). Relations of physical self-concept and muscular strength with resistance exercise-induced feeling state scores in older women. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 104, 183-190. Annesi, J.J. (2007). Relations of changes in exercise self-efficacy, physical self-concept, and body satisfaction with weight changes in obese White and African American women initiating a physical activity program. Ethnicity & Disease, 17, 19-22. Annesi, J.J. (2006). Moderating effects of physical self-appraisal on relations of weight with energy changes for obese women initiating a supported exercise and nutrition information program. Psychological Reports, 99, 925-929. Annesi, J.J. (2006). Relations of physical self-concept and self-efficacy with frequency of voluntary physical activity in preadolescents: Implications for after-school care programming. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 61, 515-520. Annesi, J.J. (2006). Relations of perceived bodily changes with actual changes and changes in mood in obese women initiating an exercise and weight-loss program. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 103, 238-240. Annesi, J.J. (2006). Preliminary testing of a brief inventory for assessing changes in exercise-induced feeling states. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 102, 776-780.
Annesi, J.J., & Unruh, J.L. (2006). Correlates of mood changes in obese women initiating a moderate exercise and nutrition information program. Psychological Reports, 99, 225-229. Annesi, J.J. (2005). Relations of self-motivation, perceived physical condition, and Annesi, J.J. (2005). Relationship between before-to-after-exercise feeling state changes and exercise session attendance over 14 weeks: Testing principles of operant conditioning. European Journal of Sport Science, 5, 159-163. Annesi, J.J. (2005). Improvements in self-concept associated with reductions in negative mood in preadolescents enrolled in an after-school physical activity program. Psychological Reports, 97, 400-404. Annesi, J.J. (2005). Relations of body esteem factors with exercise session attendance in women initiating a physical activity program. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 100, 995-1003. Annesi, J.J. (2005). Correlations of depression and total mood disturbance with physical activity and self-concept in preadolescents enrolled in an after-school exercise program. Psychological Reports, 96, 891-898. Annesi, J.J. (2005). Changes in depressed mood associated with 10 weeks of moderate cardiovascular exercise in formerly sedentary adults. Psychological Reports, 96, 855-862. Annesi, J.J., & Unruh, J.L. (2005). Preliminary validation of an assessment for evaluating administration of a structured exercise counseling protocol. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 100, 723-724. Annesi, J.J., & Westcott, W.L (2005). Age as a moderator of relations of physical self-concept and mood changes associated with 10 weeks of programmed exercise in women. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 101, 840-844. Annesi, J.J., Westcott, W.L., Faigenbaum, A., & Unruh, J.L. (2005). Effects of a physical activity protocol delivered by YMCA after-school counselors (Youth Fit For Life) on fitness and self-efficacy changes in 5- to 12-year-old boys and girls. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76, 468-476. Annesi, J.J. (2004). Psychological improvement is associated with exercise session attendance over 10 weeks in formerly sedentary adults. European Journal of Sport Science, 4(2), 1-10. Annesi, J.J. (2004). Relationship between self-efficacy and changes in rated tension and depression for 9- to 12-year-old children enrolled in a 12-wk. after-school physical Annesi, J.J. (2004). Relation of body fat to depression and overall mood changes over a 10-wk. course of moderate exercise in formerly sedentary older women. Psychological Annesi, J.J. (2004). Relationship of perceived health and appearance improvement, and self-motivation, with adherence to exercise in previously sedentary women. European Journal of Sport Science, 4(2), 1-13. Annesi, J.J. (2004). Relationship of social cognitive theory factors to exercise maintenance in adults. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 99, 142-148. Annesi, J.J., & Otto, L.M. (2004). Relationship between number of exercise counseling sessions attended and adherence to a new exercise program. Psychological Reports, 94, 907-908. Annesi, J.J., & Unruh, J.L. (2004). Association of exercise counselors' sex with exercise session attendance in women enrolled in a cognitive behavioral treatment system. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 99, 48-50. Annesi, J.J., & Unruh, J.L. (2004). Effects of a cognitive behavioral treatment Annesi, J.J., & Westcott, W.L. (2004). Relationship of feeling states after exercise and total mood disturbance over 10 weeks in formerly sedentary women. Perceptual and Annesi, J.J., Westcott, W.L., & Gann, S. (2004). Preliminary evaluation of a 10-week Annesi, J.J., Westcott, W.L., Loud, R.L., & Powers, L. (2004). Effects of association and dissociation formats on resistance exercise-induced emotion change and physical self-concept in older women. Journal of Mental Health and Aging, 10, 87-98. Blanchard, C.M., Nehl, E., Rhodes, R.E., Baker, F., Annesi, J.J., Courneya, K.S., & Spence, J.C. (2004). Does ethnicity moderate associations between the theory of planned behavior and physical activity? International Journal of Cancer Prevention, 1, 89-97. Annesi, J.J. (2003). Effects of cardiovascular exercise frequency and duration on depression and tension changes over 10 weeks. European Journal of Sport Science, 3(4), 1-12. Annesi, J.J. (2003). Sex differences in relations of cardiorespiratory and mood changes associated with self-selected amounts of cardiovascular exercise. Psychological Reports, 93, 1339-1346. Annesi, J.J. (2003). Effects of a cognitive behavioral treatment package on exercise attendance and drop out in fitness centers. European Journal of Sport Science, 3(2), 1-16. Annesi, J.J., Unruh, J.L., Higgins, L.M., & Knight, C.C. (2003). Preliminary estimates of effects of a cognitive behavioral treatment system on drop-out rates in exercise programs at three YMCA facilities. Psychological Reports, 93, 1025-1031. Annesi, J.J. (2002). Relation of rated fatigue and energy after exercise and over 14 weeks in previously sedentary women exercisers. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 95, 719-727. Annesi, J.J. (2002). Relation of perceived fitness with health changes and physiological changes in women exercisers. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 95, 226. Annesi, J.J. (2002). Effects of differing durations and intensities of cardiovascular exercise on aversion and feeling states in new women exercisers. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 94, 735-738. Annesi, J.J. (2002). Relationship between reported motives for exercise and age of women attending a community fitness facility. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 94, 605-606. Annesi, J.J. (2002). Self-motivation moderates effect of exercise-induced feelings on adherence. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 94, 467-475. Annesi, J.J. (2002). Relationship between changes in acute exercise-induced feeling states, self-motivation, and adults' adherence to moderate aerobic exercise. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 94, 425-439. Annesi, J.J. (2002). Goal setting protocol in adherence to exercise by Italian adults. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 94, 453-458. Annesi, J.J. (2001). Effects of music, television, and a combination entertainment system on distraction, exercise adherence, and physical output in adults. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 33, 193-202. Annesi, J.J. (2001). Preliminary comparison of treatments of shoulder injuries using the FitLinxx computer feedback system and standard physical therapy. Psychological Reports, 88, 989-995. Annesi, J.J. (2000). Effects of minimal exercise and cognitive-behavior modification on adherence, affective change, self-image, and physical change in obese females. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 91, 322-336. Annesi, J.J. (1999). Effects of minimal group promotion on cohesion and exercise adherence. Small Group Research, 30, 542-557. Annesi, J.J. (1999). Relationship between exercise professionals' behavioral styles and clients' adherence to exercise. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 89, 597-604. Annesi, J.J. (1998). Effects of computer feedback on adherence to exercise. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 87, 723-730. Annesi, J.J., & Mazas, J. (1997). Effects of virtual reality-enhanced exercise equipment on adherence and exercise-induced feeling states. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 85, 835-844. Annesi, J.J. (1997). The effects of long-term goal setting, short-term goal setting, and extrinsic reinforcement on physical conditioning tasks in a tennis practice environment. International Sports Journal, 1, 85-95. Annesi, J.J. (in review). Relations of exercise, self-appraisal and mood changes, and weight loss in obese women: Testing propositions based on Baker and Brownell's (2000) model. Annesi, J.J. (in review). Relations of changes in self-appraisal and mood with voluntary physical activity in African American preadolescents in an after-school care intervention. Annesi, J.J. (in review). Effects of a computer feedback system and behavioral support protocol on drop out from a newly initiated exercise program. Annesi, J.J. (in review). Relations of age with changes in self-efficacy and physical self-concept in preadolescents participating in an afterschool care physical activity intervention. Annesi, J.J. (in review). Contrast of feeling state changes associated with assignment of typical and reduced cardiovascular exercise intensity and duration. Annesi , J.J., Faigenbaum, A.D., Westcott, W.L., Alice E. Smith, A.E., Unruh, J.L., Robinson, E.M., & Bonaparte, W.A. (in review). Physiological changes associated with the Youth Fit For Life intervention administered by YMCA after-school care counselors Annesi, J.J., Faigenbaum, A.D., Westcott, W.L., Smith, A.E., Unruh, J.L., & Hamilton, F.G. (in review). Effects of the Youth Fit For Life protocol on physiological, mood, self-appraisal, and voluntary physical activity changes in African American preadolescents: Contrasting after-school care and physical education formats. Annesi, J.J., Unruh, J.L., & Whitaker, A.C. (in review). Relations of changes in self-efficacy, exercise attendance, mood, and perceived and actual physical changes in obese women: Assessing treatment effects using the mediating variable framework. Westcott, W.L., Annesi, J.J., Skaggs, M., Gibson, J., Reynolds, R., & O'Dell, J.P. (in review). Comparison of two exercise protocols on fitness score changes in poorly conditioned Air Force personnel. Dr. Jim Annesi joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta in early 2000 as Director of Wellness Advancement. He has research and applied backgrounds in the fields of health psychology, behavioral medicine, applied behavior analysis, and human performance enhancement. He has been on the faculties of Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey and The United States Sports Academy; and has held appointments with the Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems, Elizabeth General Medical Center, Rainbeau Counseling and Research Centers, and Enhanced Performance Technologies. Jim's current research program focuses on behavior change methods applied to exercise adherence and weight loss maintenance, as well as the effects of physical activity on stress, depression, body image and other mental health and quality-of-life factors. In addition to authoring over 100 research studies, chapters, and articles appearing in scientific and professional publications, Dr. Annesi has authored three books describing research-to-practice methods designed to empower individuals to better adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. Application of Jim's evidence-based protocols, within a variety of health care and preventive medicine settings in the U.S., United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, and Canada, have demonstrated substantial improvements in the maintenance of physical activity programs - especially for those with previously sedentary lifestyles. His systematic approach to facilitating and sustaining health behavior change has recently been deployed in over 60 YMCAs in the U.S. and 55 wellness facilities in the United Kingdom and Italy. Jim continues to serve in advisory capacities to CBS News, The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The London Times, as well as to a number of community health promotion organizations and publications.
|
.jpg)