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Exploring School Employee Physical Activity Behaviors And Perceptions, Ann Pulling Kuhn
Exploring School Employee Physical Activity Behaviors And Perceptions, Ann Pulling Kuhn
Dissertations
Employee involvement in physical activity (PA) while at school has been understudied and is relatively unknown (Chen & Gu, 2018; Hunt & Metzler, 2017). The purposes of this dissertation study were to (a) describe school employees’ PA behaviors while at school, and (b) explore school employees’ perceptions of the feasibility of school employee PA interventions found to be effective in published research. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used to collect school employee self-reported PA behaviors and district/school demographic information via an electronic survey from 488 school employees in northern Colorado. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test, …
The Effects Of Kefir And Exercise On Immune Function And Gut Health, Peter Royal Smoak
The Effects Of Kefir And Exercise On Immune Function And Gut Health, Peter Royal Smoak
Dissertations
Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting society today, and the number of newly diagnosed cases increases every year. Unresolved inflammation is an important underlying cause of cancer and chronically elevated concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are positively related to cancer incidence and progression. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can impair beneficial gut microbes that help to protect against pathogens and modulate immunity. Physical activity and exercise regimens improve chronic inflammation and gut microbes in cancer survivors but relatively few studies have explored the potential …
The Influence Of Asymmetry On The Metabolic Cost Of Locomotion, Shane Patrick Murphy
The Influence Of Asymmetry On The Metabolic Cost Of Locomotion, Shane Patrick Murphy
Dissertations
In this dissertation, the measurement and impact of asymmetrical locomotion were investigated. In the first study, ten able-bodied individuals were asked to run on a treadmill from which interlimb symmetries of joint level kinematics and kinetics were measured. To obtain a stable measure of interlimb symmetry, an average of 15 strides were needed. However, no differences were found between averages from bins of consecutive and inconsecutive strides. Further, no differences were noted between the average interlimb symmetry and interlimb symmetries calculated from the first, middle, or last, strides. Although there were differences between symmetry calculations, neither measure required a greater …
Give The Fans What They Want: A Market Segmentation Approach To Sport Fans’ Social Media Usage, Kerry Dale Fischer
Give The Fans What They Want: A Market Segmentation Approach To Sport Fans’ Social Media Usage, Kerry Dale Fischer
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to construct a model that segments fans of professional sport based on the type of social media platform they preferred to use as well as their social media usage motivations. In addition, the current study sought to investigate whether previously identified motives like escape and socialization, have transformed into more selfish motives such as narcissism. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used to collect data from fans of professional sport who specifically used social media to consume sport, resulting in a total sample size of 176. The online survey instrument was comprised of items …
Assessing Concussion Recovery With Dynamic Stability Methodologies, Kurt Otto Buchholz
Assessing Concussion Recovery With Dynamic Stability Methodologies, Kurt Otto Buchholz
Dissertations
The overarching purpose of this dissertation was to investigate methods and measures of dynamic stability with the final application being assessment within a concussed population. Of the three studies presented, the focus of the first two studies was on development of a new measure of dynamic postural stability, comparing it to traditional methods, and determining how it performed relative to traditional methods. In the first study, participants performed a forward hop while kinematic and kinetic data were collected. Comparison of the kinetic estimation of the center of mass to the kinematic estimation showed moderate to strong agreement. This allowed the …
Monocyte Phenotype And Whole Blood Immune Response In Physically Active Chronic Cannabis Users And Non-Users, Jonathon K. Lisano
Monocyte Phenotype And Whole Blood Immune Response In Physically Active Chronic Cannabis Users And Non-Users, Jonathon K. Lisano
Dissertations
Some physically active individuals are now advocating for the use of cannabis with exercise for its potential to optimize the immune response. Yet, it remains to be seen whether the chronic use of cannabis products is linked to alterations in immune characteristics, such as monocyte phenotype and function in physically active individuals. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess resting concentrations of c-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte phenotype and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated production of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) following pre-treated with synthetic cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor agonist and antagonist in physically active individuals using cannabis products at least …
Staff Conceptualization Of And Engagement With Diversity And Inclusion In Collegiate Recreation: A Multilevel Exploration, Erin Michelle Patchett
Staff Conceptualization Of And Engagement With Diversity And Inclusion In Collegiate Recreation: A Multilevel Exploration, Erin Michelle Patchett
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine how collegiate recreation professionals conceptualize and engage in diversity and inclusion efforts in their roles as well as what are the influences and perceived outcomes of that engagement. Informed by constructivist and critical paradigms, an instrumental case study design was utilized to collect data from one collegiate recreation organization. Data sources included interviews with 13 collegiate recreation professionals, observations, writing activities, document analysis, and a researcher journal. Thematic analysis was utilized to examine the data. Four main themes were identified: (a) complex layers of diversity and inclusion, (b) layers of influences, (c) …
Effects Of Two Types Of Creatine Feeding And Doxorubicin On Skeletal Muscle Apoptotic Markers, Zoltan A. Torok
Effects Of Two Types Of Creatine Feeding And Doxorubicin On Skeletal Muscle Apoptotic Markers, Zoltan A. Torok
Dissertations
Doxorubicin (Dox) is a widely used anthracycline antibiotic used to treat a number of hematological and solid tumor cancers. Dosage however, is limited due to its toxic effects in healthy tissues. Negative consequences include myotoxicity in skeletal muscle, which may limit mobility and activities of daily living. Doxorubicin increases the formation of reactive oxygen species, which triggers apoptosis in the tumor and healthy tissue. Skeletal muscle undergoes apoptosis in response to Dox treatment, via the activation of the cleaved caspase-3 and its downstream target, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Creatine monohydrate (Cr), a naturally occurring chemical, when taken exogenously, can improve athletic performance. …
Science Of The Art Of Coaching: Examining The Decision-Making Process Of A Competitively Successful Endurance Running Coach, Marshall James Milbrath
Science Of The Art Of Coaching: Examining The Decision-Making Process Of A Competitively Successful Endurance Running Coach, Marshall James Milbrath
Dissertations
Several knowledge typologies exist as part of the coaching process including scientific, sport-specific, and pedagogical knowledges. Prior literature has examined these typologies through investigation of decision-making schematics and through direct inquiry of sport coaches. However, while past investigations have included heterogeneous coaching populations, the understanding of mediating knowledges in sport-specific contexts is less clear. Additionally, the investigation of coaching knowledges and their contributions to coach decision-making has been limited solely to the explicit and implicit viewpoints of coaches through interview studies and has yet to be investigated through observation of the coaching process itself. The present study investigated the decision-making …
Understanding The Effects Of A Mindful Yoga Intervention On The Psychological Well-Being Of Student Veterans, María Del Mar Chavarría Soto
Understanding The Effects Of A Mindful Yoga Intervention On The Psychological Well-Being Of Student Veterans, María Del Mar Chavarría Soto
Dissertations
Transitioning from military culture to a civilian and student environment can become a challenge for many military members. Additionally, high levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD and elevated percentages of suicidal thoughts have been increasing for this population (Rudd, Goulding, & Bryan, 2011). These social concerns and mental health struggles for this population highlight the urgency in the provision of more resources and efforts to address their psychological well-being (PWB) and increase the chances of success in the college environment. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of a mindful yoga intervention on the …
The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cachexia In Mice Bearing The Colon-26 Carcinoma, Nicole Wood
The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cachexia In Mice Bearing The Colon-26 Carcinoma, Nicole Wood
Dissertations
Colon cancer is third the most prevalent cancer in the United States in both men and women. However, it is also a largely preventable disease, as colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is increased by environmental factors such as poor diet and physical inactivity. Furthermore, CRC patients are highly susceptible to significant muscle wasting. Cachexia is classified as a multifactorial metabolic syndrome associated with impairments in immune function, fatigue, and overall weakness, that lead to increased morbidity and mortality. To date, multiple studies have shown that both aerobic and resistance training, individually, are highly effective in their ability to attenuate the deleterious …
Together We Move: Exploring Belonging, Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction And Motivational Factors In A Socially Structured University Physical Activity Program, Jessica B. Kirby
Dissertations
Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental life stage for individuals to establish healthy behaviors that enhance wellbeing, including quality relationships and physical activity (PA) engagement. Institutions of higher education are positioned to influence and support the development of these developmental tasks in emerging adults enrolled on their respective campuses. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore experiences of belonging, basic psychological need satisfaction (BNS) in PAbased social relationships, and motives to participate in a socially structured PA program among emerging adults on a university campus. Participants: University students who participated in the Fitness Buddies (FB) program (n=10), …
Developing Support Mechanisms For Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program Leaders, Peter Teake Stoepker
Developing Support Mechanisms For Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program Leaders, Peter Teake Stoepker
Dissertations
In this dissertation, support mechanisms for comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) leaders were investigated. In the first study, a systematic review was completed that explored the effectiveness of CSPAP professional development/training. In total, 8,982 records were screened and two articles matched the eligibility criteria and were included within the review. One study examined effectiveness using qualitative methods (Centeio, Erwin, & Castelli, 2014) and the other using quantitative methods (Carson, Castelli, Pulling Kugh, et al., 2014). Due to the limited number of articles that met the search criteria, it can be concluded that there is limited evidence to fully understand …