Question

A progressive functional fitness strength training program using dumbbells and ankle weights was developed to improve upper- and lower-body strength of residents living in an assisted-living facility. Fifty people were trained and 50 people were not trained. Five upper-body and five lower-body strength exercises were performed in a group setting 3 times per week for 30 minutes. Resistance of the dumbbells and ankle weights was progressed over the 8-week training period. At the end of the training, the two groups differed significantly in upper- and lower-body muscular strength. We conclude that this functional fitness strength training program is a feasible and cost-effective program to conduct in a group setting.

What is the independent and dependent variable? (2 points)

What are the level of measurements for each variable? (2 points)

What is the null hypothesis? What is the alternative hypothesis? (2 points)

What type of statistical or research error might the researchers have made regarding their findings (1 point)? Explain (1point).

What type of inferential statistical test would you have conducted to examine strength at the end of the training program (1 point)? Explain why you would use this test (1 point).

Answer 1

Here a progressive functional fitness strength training program using dumbbells and ankle weights was developed to improve upper- and lower-body strength of residents living in an assisted-living facility. Fifty people were trained and 50 people were not trained. Five upper-body and five lower-body strength exercises were performed in a group setting 3 times per week for 30 minutes. Resistance of the dumbbells and ankle weights was progressed over the 8-week training period. At the end of the training, the two groups differed significantly in upper- and lower-body muscular strength. We conclude that this functional fitness strength training program is a feasible and cost-effective program to conduct in a group setting.

The dependent variable is functional fitness strength which includes upper body and lower body exercises.

The independent variable is the time.

The level of measurement of the dependent variable is weight

The level of measurement of the independent variable is minutes and weeks

The null hypothesis is that the weights of the 50 trained people will be equal to the weights of the 50 untrained people.

The alternative hypothesis is that the weights of the 50 trained people will not be equal to the weights of the 50 untrained people.

The type of statistical or research error might the researchers have made regarding their findings are type 1 error and type 2 error.

The type 1 error occurs when we reject the true null hypothesis ie, here we reject the null even if the weights are equal.

The type 2 error occurs when we accept a false null hypothesis ie, here we accept the null even if the weights are not equal.

The type of inferential statistical test that would we have conducted to examine strength at the end of the training program is the two sample t test. We consider this test because here the samples are independent and we assume it to be normally distributed with equal variances.