STATUS OF PATRON KNOWLEDGE OF EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AND MONITORING TECHNOLOGY AT THE BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT RECREATION CENTER Lauren A. Robinson A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION August 2007 Committee: Terry Herman, Advisor Cathy Swick Donna Trautman © 2007 Lauren Robinson All Rights Reserved ii ABSTRACT Terry Herman, PhD, Advisor The purpose of this study was to determine the current knowledge of BGSU SRC patrons regarding exercise equipment and monitoring technology. The main objective of this study was to identify whether or not the patrons that use the facility know how to use the cardio equipment and their heart monitors correctly. To obtain this information, patrons were asked to fill out a survey when entering the Student Recreation Center. 48 patrons completed the survey and their results were tallied using SNAP, a survey program. The results showed that patrons knew how to use the cardio equipment but not the heart monitors located on the machines. They also did not know where to receive information about the machines or the heart monitors. Based on these results the researcher recommended informational packets for the machines and signage to be placed around the cardio area. iii This thesis is dedicated to Duretta Cobbins iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge my parents, family members, and friends for all of their patience and support throughout this whole process. Thank you to the all of the professional staff at the Student Recreation Center for their encouragement. A special thanks to Terry Herman, Donna Trautman, Cathy Swick, and Kim Strickland. Without the help of these four women this thesis would not have gotten finished. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 1 Context of Problem..................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of Problem.................................................................................................................. 1 Significance of Study.................................................................................................................. 1 Objectives of Study..................................................................................................................... 2 Assumptions................................................................................................................................ 2 Limitations.................................................................................................................................. 2 Definition of Terms..................................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE.................................................................................. 5 Physiological Benefits of Exercise ............................................................................................. 5 Obesity .................................................................................................................................... 6 Body Fat.................................................................................................................................. 7 Cardiovascular (Heart) Disease .............................................................................................. 8 Cholesterol.............................................................................................................................. 9 Osteoporosis.......................................................................................................................... 10 Blood Pressure ...................................................................................................................... 11 Immune System .................................................................................................................... 11 Psychological Benefits.............................................................................................................. 12 vi Mental Health........................................................................................................................ 12 Introduction to Exercise Machines ........................................................................................... 13 Elliptical................................................................................................................................ 13 Cycle ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Treadmill............................................................................................................................... 16 Introduction to Technology....................................................................................................... 18 Heart Rate Monitor ............................................................................................................... 18 iPod ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 23 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................ 24 Restatement of the Problem...................................................................................................... 24 Research Design........................................................................................................................ 24 Sampling Procedures ................................................................................................................ 24 Data Collection Instrument....................................................................................................... 25 Procedures of Data Analysis..................................................................................................... 26 Calendar of Events.................................................................................................................... 26 Budget....................................................................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS.............................................................................................................. 28 Purpose of Survey..................................................................................................................... 28 vii Survey Results .......................................................................................................................... 28 Demographic Responses....................................................................................................... 28 Heart Monitor Responses...................................................................................................... 30 Cardio Equipment Responses ................................................................................................... 33 Cardio Equipment Safety Responses.................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER 5: RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................... 36 Future Studies ........................................................................................................................... 38 Summary................................................................................................................................... 39 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 40 APPENDIX A............................................................................................................................... 42 Precor EFX5.33 Elliptical......................................................................................................... 42 APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................... 43 Precor C846i-R Cycle............................................................................................................... 43 APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................... 44 Precor M9.57 Treadmill............................................................................................................ 44 APPENDIX D............................................................................................................................... 45 Student Recreation Center Usage Numbers (past 10 years) ..................................................... 45 APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................................... 46 SNAP Survey Questions........................................................................................................... 46 viii SNAP Survey – Page 1 ......................................................................................................... 46 SNAP Survey – Page 2 ........................................................................................................