Education Commons^™

Evidence-Based Practice In Clinical Athletic Training Education, Dorice A. Hankemeier

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) concepts are becoming more prevalent in the educational curricula of nursing, medicine, physical therapy, and athletic training. The infusion of EBP in the clinical education experience of students has been slow especially in athletic training. The aim of Project I was to investigate approved clinical instructors (ACIs) experience and implementation of EBP with students through emergent design qualitative interviews. Project II was designed to develop and establish the reliability of the Evidence-Based Concepts Assessment (EBCA) to assess athletic trainers' perceived importance, attitudes & beliefs, knowledge, confidence, accessibility, and barriers of EBP. Project III investigated the importance, knowledge, …

Namaste: Pedagogical Methods For Designing Yoga & Art Experiences For/With Teen Participants, Tiffani Olivia Bryant

English Theses & Dissertations

Within this study, teens are asked to analyze yoga studio homepages in relation to their experiences with the practice of yoga. This dissertation research engages the teen girls as participants responsible for co-designing the learning constructs through which they make meaning out of their experiences. This research is rooted in informational design, experiential design, and design practices for a teen demographic through the artifact of yoga.

Participant observation is used to examine how eight teen girls understand yoga as a practice, internalize their experiences with yoga, and thusly communicate what they have learned about yoga and a sampling of digital …

Evidence-Based Practice In Undergraduate Athletic Training Education, Sarah A. Manspeaker

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

As Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) has progressed within medicine, nursing, and physical therapy, athletic training has been subsequently slow to infuse EBP and its associated concepts at the professional level. The aim of Project I was to determine athletic training instructors experience and use of evidence-based concepts (EBC) during instruction through emergent design qualitative interviews. Project II was designed to establish the Evidence-Based Teaching Model (EBTM) as a tool for athletic training educators' to use to introduce EBP concepts to professional students.

Project I featured 11 educators from Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) programs. Instructors identified primary approaches …

An Assessment Of Athletic Training Educators' Knowledge And Calibration Of Evidence-Based Diagnostic Concepts, Cailee Elizabeth Welch

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a phenomenon that has transitioned into various medical and allied health professions over the past several decades. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge and calibration levels of evidence-based concepts in athletic training educators, as well as determine the effectiveness of an EBP single-day workshop. All educators attending the 2009 Athletic Training Educators' Conference (N=498) were solicited to participate in this study; 62 male (41.32 ± 8.92) and 79 female (36.08 ± 7.91) responded for a response rate of 28.3% (years of AT teaching experience = 9.81 ± 7.19). A twenty question multiple choice …

Predicting Attitude Toward Sex Education In Public Schools, Sarah A. Gibson

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the teen pregnancy rate rose by 3% between 2005 and 2006, presenting the first increase since 1991. These findings are troubling in light of the consequences of teen pregnancy to teen mothers, their children, and society in general. Many commentators suggest that one method of reducing the rate of teen pregnancies is through sex education programs, particularly in the public school system. However, despite the fact that discussions of sex education in public school have been present since the 1920s, polls indicate that there is still a portion of the public that …

The Influence Of Color On The Teaching Of Juggling To Elementary School Children, Anne C. Mccoy

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Learning to juggle is difficult for elementary school students; it involves eye-hand coordination and complex movement patterns. Recognizing and using color for figure- and-ground visual perception is a necessary skill for tracking moving objects to catch them effectively. Can juggling instruction be influenced by the color of the juggling object used? Is one color more effective than another or does a combination of three different colors provide the most effective equipment choice?

Children in third, fourth, and fifth grade physical education classes were randomly assigned to color choices for juggling objects in a month-long unit of juggling instruction. The choices, …

Articulation Trends In Allied Health Programs, Felicia M. Toreno

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Studies

The educational environment emphasizes student access to instructional opportunities. Many health programs are located in community colleges or hospitals, and in order to advance educational status, students must be able to transfer credits between multiple educational institutions. Unfortunately, programs are not uniform and many fields of study are guided by strict accreditation regulations. These conflicting requirements often make transfer for students cumbersome. Transfer pathways are often considered by institutions on a program by program basis. This research was designed to analyze the existing pathways present in urban Virginian allied health programs in order to establish trends in articulation. These instructional …

The Impact Of An Employer Sponsored Walking Program On Employees' Cardiovascular Risks, Joan Breslin Sechrist

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The problem of this study was to determine if participation in an employer sponsored walking program reduced employees' cardiovascular health risks. The independent variable was the "WalkAbout with Healthy Edge" program and the dependent variables included: body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, amount of exercise, and tobacco use. The study population was an employer group of 1300, and 284 employees registered for the program. Due to attrition, 79 submitted the first month of step logs and participation decreased over the months respectively to 58, 40, 38, 32, and 29. Twenty-three participants submitted six months of walking logs, and pre-test …

Perceptions And Factors Influencing Success In Professional Preparation Physical Therapy Education, Mira H. Mariano

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to gather data on student background characteristics, the perceptions of social and academic support, and self-concept of current professional preparation physical therapy (PT) students. A second purpose was to determine whether any variables were predictive of academic success/retention and to investigate whether there were differences in those variables between majority and minority PT students. The study used mixed methods with entry-level PT students from Virginia and North Carolina. Questionnaires were collected from 575 of 778 PT students for a 74% response rate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 respondents. Girves and Wemmerus' conceptual model …

An Exploratory Analysis Of Post Strategic Plan Implementation Fidelity In Two Urban-Based, Nonprofit Health Education/Advocacy Organizations, Theodore N. Burke

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This research is a multi case study examining the degree of fidelity (adherence) accorded to strategic plans following implementation in two, urban-based, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) health education/advocacy organizations. The study was focused on the impetus and goals for strategic planning, the similarities and differences in the implementation processes, adherence (fidelity) to the plan once implemented, and finally what factors prompted the fidelity or lack of fidelity to the plan once implemented. Fourteen respondent participants from the two organizations were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Findings of this study indicated that post-strategic plan fidelity following implementation did exist. …

The Satisfaction And Perspectives Of Recent Graduates Of Accredited Post-Certification Graduate Athletic Training Programs As It Relates To Their Educational Experiences, Jacqueline R. Gaida

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the satisfaction and opinions of graduate athletic trainings students, who graduated from 2001-2003, as it relates to their programs. A list of graduate names and e-mail addresses from the fourteen accredited graduate programs were acquired through the GRC and the NATA on-line directory. Subjects were e-mailed a scripted letter and a link to the on-line survey. The survey consisted of a variety of questions that asked information regarding the subjects' graduate program style, clinical experience, job placement, reasons for program choice, certificates of added qualifications, curriculum satisfaction, clinical supervisor satisfaction, certification and …

An Assessment Of High School Coaches Knowledge Of Exercise-Induced Asthma, Shannon L. Wilson

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is a common disorder that occurs in individuals who compete in recreational activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of EIA for high school athletic coaches. A 22 question demographic instrument was used for background information, and an 18 question multiple-choice assessment was used to assess knowledge of prevention, recognition and management of EIA. A panel of experts reviewed and modified the survey instruments, which were piloted at a local private high school prior to distribution. The survey was distributed to 250 high school coaches in the Hampton Roads area during a fall …

Determining The Validity Of A New Cycle Ergometer Protocol For Estimating Vo(2) Max, James Allen Parrott

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The current American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) submaximal cycle ergometer protocol has been evaluated by several researchers for its validity in estimating maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max). It has been found that the ACSM protocol overestimates VO₂max by 28% on average (Swain and Wright, 1997). It is felt that the short stage duration, only 3 minutes, of the ACSM protocol is largely responsible for this overestimation. The new submaximal cycle ergometer protocol evaluated here utilizes a 6-minute stage in an attempt to reduce the overestimation of VO2max while increasing the overall test validity.

A regression performed …

The Effects Of Four Gymnastics Skills On Vertebral Column Hyperextension In Young Female Gymnasts, Tonia Mcclure Burke

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

There is very limited information available on the effects of gymnastics skills on spinal hyperextension. Eleven young female gymnasts between the ages of 11 and 15 participated in this study. The subjects height and weight were taken then they were screened for musculoskeletal injuries, normal abdominal and back extensor strength, normal hip flexor and hamstring flexibility, spondylolisthesis, and scoliosis. Hyperextension of the spinal column was measured during normal standing, hyperextending the spine in standing, and during four different gymnastics skills, using the Peak5 motion analysis system. Each subject performed five acceptable trials of four different gymnastics skill including a back …

Acute Blood Pressure Responses To Static And Dynamic Exercise: Racial Differences, Reuben Leon Wright

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

African Americans have a higher incidence of hypertension than other racial groups. Furthermore, some research suggests that normotensive individuals who exhibit exaggerated blood pressure (BP) responses to exercise may be at risk for future hypertension. This study sought to determine if normotensive African Americans exhibited exaggerated BP responses to static exercise or dynamic exercise relative to Caucasian Americans and Asian Americans. Thirty normotensive subjects participated from each of the three racial groups (15 males and 15 females). Subjects held 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (right knee extension) for 3 minutes, and BP was recorded during the third minute. On a …

The Effects Of Aerobic Exercise On State And Trait Body Image And Physical Fitness Among College Women, Sherri L. Hensley

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Cumulative evidence shows body dissatisfaction is a salient problem among women, and is linked to various psychological disorders and disturbances. While numerous perspectives regarding the negative body-image phenomenon exist, one area of scientific inquiry is the relationship between physical exercise and body image. With the current sociocultural emphasis on physical fitness and attractiveness, the effects of exercise on body image warrants serious consideration. The present investigation compared 57 women who participated in a 13-week aerobic exercise program to 29 sedentary control women on the following variables: state and trait body image, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition. The exercising women were …

The Effects Of Athletic Participation On Self-Concept, Daily School Attendance, And Grade Point Average Of Female Seventh-Grade Students In Urban Schools, David L. Olah

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study examined the effects of athletic participation on self-concept, daily school attendance, and grade point average on 503 seventh grade students in urban middle schools. A 2 x 3 factorial MANOVA analyzed self-concept data to determine differences in self-concept associated with the levels of athletic participation with that of pre- and post-treatment test periods. Tukey's post hoc tests were incorporated when a significant F ratio was demonstrated (p< 0.05). Significant differences were noted in four areas of self-concept as defined by Piers-Harris (1984): (1) intellectual and school status (Tukey, p< 0.05), (2) physical appearance and attributes (Tukey, p< 0.05), (3) anxiety (Tukey, p< 0.05), and (4) popularity (Tukey, p< 0.05). No significant differences were noted in three areas of self-concept: (1) behavior, (2) happiness and satisfaction, and (3) self-concept total.

A 3 x 3 factorial ANOVA demonstrated statistical differences in daily school attendance between female students participating in interscholastic athletics with female students not participating in interscholastic athletics. Daily school attendance …

The Contribution Of Selected Cognitive And Noncognitive Variables To The Academic Success Of Medical Technology Students, Mildred Keels Fuller

Health Services Research Dissertations

The research problem for this study assessed the relationship of cognitive and noncognitive variables to the academic success of African-American versus Caucasian medical technology students attending traditionally black institutions versus majority institutions. Academic success was defined as cumulative grade point average, cumulative clinical practica grades, and graduation status. The cognitive variable was the preclinical cumulative grade point average, and the noncognitive variables were the noncognitive subscale scores.

Seventy-five senior medical technology students provided demographic data, and completed the Noncognitive Questionnaire (Tracey & Sedlacek, 1984) that assessed eight noncognitive dimensions: positive self-concept; realistic self-appraisal: understands and deals with racism; prefers long-range …

The Effect Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Education Program On Knowledge, Attitudes And Sexual Behavior Of Selected College Students, Arlene Jaine Jackson Montgomery

Health Services Research Dissertations

The problem studied in this investigation was whether a behaviorally focused Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Program affects the knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behavior of college students.

Three hundred and six first-and third-year college students were included in the study from one university located in Southeastern Virginia. The sample was predominately female, African-American and mainly between the ages of 16-22 years of age.

Freshmen students were presently enrolled in the institution's HIV/AIDS education program, which was a part of a required course. The class sessions consisted of a pretest prior to student's completing the reading assignment …

A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Two Types Of Clinical Instruction On Selected Variables Among Urban Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Janice Parks Hylton

Health Services Research Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide baseline data regarding student perceptions of bureaucratic, professional, and service values and of instructors/preceptors as role models for each model of clinical supervision, traditional versus preceptored. A non-probability, convenience sample included 113 baccalaureate nursing students from two accredited programs in an urban area. Two instruments were used to identify student perceptions of bureaucratic, professional, and service values and of instructors/preceptors as role models. The results of the questionnaires revealed no significant differences between the students' perceptions of bureaucratic and service values and perceptions of instructors/preceptors as role models, Students' perceptions of professional …

The Relationship Of Educational Attainment And Socioeconomic Factors In The Health Behaviors Of An Urban Population, George C. Maihafer

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was two fold: 1) to investigate the effects that level of educational attainment and income have on the health behaviors of an urban population, and 2) to examine the effects the level of motivation and selected demographic characteristics (e.g., age, race, gender) have on the study sample's perceived satisfaction with the medical encounter. Based on the findings of the study, a model community health education program was proposed. The study sample was comprised of 150 volunteers seeking health care for chronic conditions at a family practice clinic. The Krantz Health Opinion Survey (HOS) measured the …

History And Analysis Of Food Guides In The United States, Barbara B. Carlson

Health Services Research Dissertations

This work elucidates the development of nutrient-based dietary standards in the United States from the original energy and protein-based standards proposed by Atwater in 1894 to the micronutrient-based Recommended Dietary Allowances revised by the National Research Council in 1989. This qualitative historical research chronicles the development and subsequent revisions of nutrient-based food guides and food guidance models issued in the United States between 1916 and 1991. A literature search of historical food guides, research, and review papers from the fields of nutrition science and education, dietetics, and health science provided primary sources of information for the history. A literature search …

The Effects Of Wellness Activity Choices On Urban Employees' Psychological Mood States And Job Satisfaction, Ruth Porter Holland

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This ex-post-facto study was designed to examine the effects of varied levels of physical activity participation choices on employees' mood states and job satisfaction. A six (group) x two (sex) x three (times) ANCOVA method analyzed the relationship of three independent variables (group, sex and repeated exercise sessions) to ten dependent psychological measures (seven mood states and three job satisfaction components). Comparisons by group, sex, and time were made to determine whether four treatment groups of male and female employees who made choices to participate in varied levels of physical activity over an eight week period differed significantly from two …

An Assessment Of The Characteristics And Attrition Rates Of Physical Therapist Assistant Educational Programs, Pamela Ann Bayliss

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the student attrition rate in physical therapist assistant programs accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at the time of the study and to identify factors which may affect student attrition. The survey instrument was designed to gather data on student attrition rates for the classes which graduated in 1984, 1985, and 1986 and on program characteristics such as admission policies and curricular requirements. The mean student attrition rates were 32%, 28.6%, and 26.4% in 1984, 1985 and 1986, respectively. There were no significant differences identified via Chi Square (p

An Analysis Of Selected Family Life Education Curricula, Phoebe Terry Butler

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the content of family life education curricula in Virginia's public schools and determine its appropriateness for the mentally handicapped students. It was the intent of this study to determine if existing curricula were designed to address the needs of mentally handicapped students according to a standard curricula designed by the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and the Sex Information and Education Council of the United States. The 15 participants of this study were selected from a random sample of 69. The response rate was 20.2%.

A letter soliciting family …

The Effects Of Training In Safe Manual Handling On The Patient Lifting Techniques Of Nursing Personnel, Bruce Paul Klein

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of training on the patient handling methods of nursing personnel. The study sought (1) to determine the effect of three class variables (Group, Session and Task) on behavioral performance, (2) to assess the influence of twelve organismic variables on behavioral performance, and (3) to determine the relationship between written exam scores and trainee behavioral performance.

Test and control groups were comprised of twelve and twenty-eight subjects, respectively. Behavioral performance in four specified tasks was determined via direct observation of individual subjects by trained observers using specific, dichotomously-measured behavioral criteria. Performance …

A Comparison Of Parenting Profiles Of Adolescent Mothers, Willar F. White-Parson

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Statement of Problem. How do parenting profiles of adolescent mothers who attended an alternative school for pregnant students compare with adolescent mothers who did not attend this school?

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare the parenting perceptions of adolescent mothers who attended an alternative school for pregnant students and adolescent mothers who did not attend this school.

Procedure and Methods. The sample for this quasi-experimental study consisted of twenty volunteers who were enrolled in an alternative school and twenty volunteers who were admitted to a general hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. The school samples was the experimental group …

An Analysis Of A Sample Of Parents And University Freshmen In Regard To Their Attitudes Toward The Needs Of Sex Education In Community Schools, Linda C. Aleksa

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

This study attempted to investigate a sample of both parents' and college freshmens' attitudes toward sex education, and the content and timing of sex education in the Tidewater schools. Two Likert-type scales each containing ten statements were administered in order to survey attitudes. A statistically significant difference was found in scores on the attitude toward content and timing of sex education scale between parents and college freshmen. Parents demonstrated a more favorable attitude toward sex education as an integral component of the overall educational curriculum. The majority of parents indicated support for including important aspects such as reproduction and indicated …