Digital Commons Network^™

Shock Attenuation In Landing, Bryon Christopher Applequist

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Shock attenuation (SA) has been well studied in activities such as walking and running (Chu, et al. 2004; Derrick, et al. 2004; Mercer, et al. 2003); however, there is a lack of research regarding SA during landing. Furthermore, there is lack of information regarding which structures attenuate shock. The purpose of this study was to examine SA among the leg-hip, hip-head, and leg-head segments during landing. Each subject (n=10, Age 26.3 ± 2.71 years, Height 1.68 ± 0.08 m, Mass 70.49 ± 16.03 kg) was instrumented with accelerometers at the leg, hip and forehead. Subjects then performed landings from three …

Frictional Forces Of A Fixed, Esthetic Orthodontic Appliance System, Brady Michael Nance

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: The demands of an all esthetic fixed orthodontic appliance system are ever increasing in today's world. Frictional values of an esthetic, fixed orthodontic appliance system are needed to evaluate their clinical effectiveness for orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frictional values of various esthetic orthodontic archwires ligated to an esthetic orthodontic bracket.

Methods: Three types of stainless steel and nickel titanium alloy (niti) esthetic orthodontic archwires (epoxy, poly, plastic) in four sizes (.016, .018, .017 x .025, .019 x .025 inches) were ligated to both a stainless steel bracket system and a ceramic (esthetic) …

Effects Of Positive Feedback On Oxygen Consumption And Heart Rate During A 3-Minute Step Test, Leighann Dewitt

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The positive effects of enhanced expectancies on motor performance and learning have been demonstrated by numerous studies. A more recent study by Stoate, Wulf, and Lewthwaite (2012) showed than enhancing one's expectancy by giving positive feedback increased movement efficiency and decreased oxygen consumption in experienced runners during a 20 minute running test at 75% of max oxygen consumption, compared to those who received no feedback. The purpose of the present study was to test if enhancing expectancies can improve movement efficiency (i.e., reduce oxygen consumption) during a sub-maximal exercise test. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, enhanced …

Effects Of Controlling Versus Autonomy-Supportive Language On Learning A Novel Motor Skill And Cortisol Release, Andrew Mcmahon Hooyman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare how different types of instruction effect the learning of a novel motor skill and how salivary cortisol correlates to learning differences. Participants (N = 44), average age 22.3 years (standard deviation 2.37), were randomly assigned to an autonomy-supportive, controlling-language or neutral language group which was manipulated via instructional video. Saliva was collected before and after each session, and questionnaires were given after pitching was completed during each day. Results showed that there was a significant difference among groups in throwing accuracy on performance and retention. Questionnaire results also showed significant group differences …

The Effect Of Footwear On The Mechanics Of The Lower Back During Treadmill Running, Jeffrey Ray Mcclellan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Little is known regarding the effect that footwear cushioning can have on the mechanics of the low back. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine the material characteristics of a minimalist running shoe tested with and without a commercially available shoe insole, 2) determine if there are differences in lower back or knee kinematics when minimalist shoes are worn with and without a shoe insole during treadmill running, and 3) determine if there are differences in levels of muscle activation when minimalist shoes are worn with and without a shoe insole during treadmill running. Following the receipt of …

Active Recovery And Electro-Muscular Stimulation On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness After Endurance Running: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Amanda J. Gramly, Kitrick C. Rhodes, Andrea F. Smith

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background/Purpose: Current research on strategies to decrease delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) has focused on the effects of active and passive recovery on athletic performance across various sports, but there is little evidence regarding these recoveries at reducing DOMS induced by aerobic activities, such as running. In addition, there is limited research regarding the efficacy of recovery using electro-muscular stimulation (EMS). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of active and EMS recovery in decreasing DOMS. Subjects: Forty-eight healthy subjects (25 males and 23 females) between the ages of 20 and 40 (25.1 ± 2.9) participated. …

You Should Know Jack: A Qualitative Study Of The Jack Lalanne Show (1951-~1965), Robert Cochrane

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Jack LaLanne hosted the first and longest running fitness program in United States broadcast history from 1951 through 1985. Since LaLanne's rise as a broadcasting celebrity, the health and fitness industry has grown from a small, somewhat-maligned field into a multi-billion dollar per year economy of its own. As LaLanne reached iconic status through his show, his name became synonymous with good health and nutrition, but the messages of his show went far beyond simple exercises. He used religious, patriotic, and biomedical messages to get his points across. In addition, he was a showman who sang to his audience, used …

Exercise And Nutrition Survey Of Nevada Air National Guard Members, Matthew Antonio Demattei

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

One hundred seventy-three Nevada Air National Guard members voluntarily participated in this exercise science and nutrition survey-based study. The survey consisted of ten closed-ended questions; the intent of the study was to determine whether the participants were willing to attend exercise science or nutrition related classes, or if the participants were willing to instruct exercise science or nutrition classes if they possessed a degree in either field. Forty-six females, and one hundred twenty-seven males participated in this study; one hundred thirty-six of the respondents were enlisted, and thirty-seven of the respondents were officers. Participants were demographically separated by age groups …

Exercise-Induced Neuroprotection In A Hemiparkinsonian 6-Hydroxydopamine Rat Model, Merrill Russen Landers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Outside of finding a cure, one of the preeminent goals of research in Parkinson's disease (PD) is finding a neuroprotective treatment that when applied prior to the onset of the disease will decrease the risk and severity of the subsequent disease. One such treatment that has potential as a neuroprotective agent in PD is exercise. Several studies have found forced exercise to be protective of Parkinson's disease in adult rodent models; however, few of these studies have used a design wherein voluntary exercise was evaluated. Moreover, no study has used a true neuroprotective design in which exercise was applied prior …

The Acute Effect Of Endurance Exercise On Lipoproteins Measured By Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Nmr) In Healthy Men, Hanaa Adnan Shaheen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a major cause of death in the United States, with abnormal levels of blood lipids and physical inactivity considered as major modifiable risk factors. The conventional lipid profile has been used to assess for CVD risk by directly measuring the concentrations of blood lipids. However, lipoprotein particle size and number obtained from a novel method, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) may also asses for CVD risk with greater sensitivity. Exercise and increased physical activity has been shown to produce favorable effects on blood lipids and consequently reduce CVD risk. To understand this effect, it is important …

Reliability And Validity Of The Body Caliper To Evaluate Body Composition, Gregory L. Stalker

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Body Caliper is a relatively new model of skin–fold caliper (approximately 13 years old) whose reliability and validity has yet to be investigated on an adult population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Body Caliper as an instrument and method for evaluating body composition in adults. One hundred adults (62 men, 38 women) aged 18 to 60 years participated in this cross–sectional study. Skin–fold measurements were taken with the Body Caliper using the YMCA protocol, and body density was calculated by the Jackson & Pollock sum–of–3 equations for men and …

Immediate Effects Of High Intensity Training In Children With Cerebral Palsy Gmfcs Levels I-Iii: A Pilot Study, Andrea Blahovec, Andrea Kuiken, Jillian Mears, Heather Riggins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common causes of motor disability in the U.S., but there is still a lack of consensus for best intervention strategies to improve function and gait efficiency.

Objective: Determine if ambulatory children with CP, exposed to a brief, high intensity training session, will: 1) experience changes in temporal-spatial gait characteristics 2) demonstrate increased gait speed and 3) demonstrate improved gait kinematics.

Design: Five participants walked at preferred and fast speeds over an instrumented walkway followed by a 15-minute intervention. After a short rest, post-intervention walking was completed.

Results: Ten dependent variables were extracted …