Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 88

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Nutrient Intake, Performance, And Body Composition In Preseason Wrestlers, Gregory Coapstick Jan 2024

Nutrient Intake, Performance, And Body Composition In Preseason Wrestlers, Gregory Coapstick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: College athletes, especially in weight class sports, often experience energy deficits. Weight class sports such as wrestling are at greatest risk for deficiencies, and little is known about the relationships between body composition, nutrient intake, and performance in these athletes.
OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to quantify macronutrient and micronutrient intake of pre-season male collegiate wrestlers and compare to recommendations, and examine relationships among nutritional intakes, body composition, and performance measurements of strength, anaerobic, and aerobic capacity.
METHODS: Male Division I wrestlers (n=11, mean ± SD age: 21.3±1.7 years, wrestling experience: 14.9±2.5 years) were recruited during preseason. …


Effects Of An 8-Week Undulating Training Program On Firefighter Body Composition, Muscular Fitness, And Occupational Performance, Dylan R. Brown Jan 2024

Effects Of An 8-Week Undulating Training Program On Firefighter Body Composition, Muscular Fitness, And Occupational Performance, Dylan R. Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Firefighting is a high-risk occupation that requires a certain level of health and fitness to ensure optimal occupational performance. Improving body composition by reducing fat mass and increasing muscular strength and power are two great methods for improving performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine how an 8-week undulating training program affects firefighter body composition, muscular strength/power, and occupational performance. METHODS: A total of 33 active male firefighters were recruited for this study. Prior to the start of the 8-week undulating program, all participants were pre-tested on several fitness variables including body composition, strength, …


Chronic Training Load And Dorsiflexion Range Of Motion Throughout A Season In Professional American Soccer, Tristan L. Young Jan 2024

Chronic Training Load And Dorsiflexion Range Of Motion Throughout A Season In Professional American Soccer, Tristan L. Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soccer has an incredibly complex movement profile. Players experience various types of strains on their body from the requirement to land in awkward positions while maintaining the ability to quickly accelerate and decelerate. Dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) is of concern due to the movement profile and ball control that requires constant eccentric and concentric actions at the talocrural joint. With an American soccer season spanning across nine months these demands can contribute to overuse, which has been linked to restricted range of motion. Restricted DFROM and asymmetries have been identified as injury predictors, but their relationship to performance has …


Effects Of Occupational Tasks And Personal Protective Equipment On Static And Functional Balance Among Career Firefighters, Petra Kis Jan 2023

Effects Of Occupational Tasks And Personal Protective Equipment On Static And Functional Balance Among Career Firefighters, Petra Kis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are commonly incurred on the fireground among firefighters. Most injuries are attributable to overexertion, fall, jump, slip, and trip mechanisms. These injuries may be caused by many factors, including the independent and collective effects of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and the fatigue induced by performing occupational tasks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PPE and fire suppression tasks on static and functional balance among firefighters. METHODS: 32 healthy male career structural firefighters (Age: 31.8±9.5 yr) volunteered for this study. Static and Functional Balance Tests (FBT) were performed in …


The Effect Of Tempo On Prone Hamstring Exercise - An Exploration Of Unilateral Bias, Derick A. Anglin Jan 2023

The Effect Of Tempo On Prone Hamstring Exercise - An Exploration Of Unilateral Bias, Derick A. Anglin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hamstring injuries are common muscle-skeletal injuries with a high recurrence rate. While unmodifiable risk factors (e.g., previous injury) vary, recent evidence has questioned the utility of eccentric exercise in preventing hamstring strains. Furthermore, whether eccentric exercise can transfer to sprinting’s kinetic and kinematic requirements is of question. Therefore, this investigation examines exercise tempo (fast vs. slow eccentric phase), movement strategy (bilateral vs. unilateral), and external load characteristics (coupled vs. independent) bias concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) biceps femoris (BF) mean electromyography (mEMG). METHODS: Twenty college-aged students aged 18 – 33 (M = 23.4, SD = 3.12 years) with …


Effect Of Training Modality On Intention To Exercise Among Law Enforcement Cadets Post Academy, Nicholas Hunt Jan 2023

Effect Of Training Modality On Intention To Exercise Among Law Enforcement Cadets Post Academy, Nicholas Hunt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Police academies are typically the first formalized job-task-oriented exercise training for law enforcement officers (LEOs). Research has demonstrated that cadets are at higher risk of injury during the academy. Physical training (PT) is a critical component of LEO academy efforts to build occupational skills to meet job demands. Although research is beginning to investigate the efficacy of different training modalities, more research is needed to understand the impact of academy training load and modality on occupational readiness and interest in maintaining exercise behaviors post-academy. PURPOSE: to investigate the relationships between different physical training modalities and intention to continue physical training …


The Effect Of Weekly Training Load On Match Result In American Professional Soccer, Cameron M. Horsfall Jan 2023

The Effect Of Weekly Training Load On Match Result In American Professional Soccer, Cameron M. Horsfall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: During a professional soccer season, training load (TL) will fluctuate due to the need to prepare for the next competition. Based on the technical staff’s daily and weekly evaluation, TL will be adjusted as they prepare the team and maximize individual performance and achieve a favorable result. Therefore, the programming of each match week (MW) TL may promote a favorable result. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine variation in daily GPS-derived TL variables based on match result using the Match Day Minus (MD-) system. This study provides descriptive TL data yet to be reported in …


Metabolic Foundations Of Exercise-Induced Cardiac Growth., Kyle Fulghum Dec 2022

Metabolic Foundations Of Exercise-Induced Cardiac Growth., Kyle Fulghum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Regular aerobic exercise promotes physiological cardiac growth, which is an adaptive response thought to enable the heart to meet higher physical demands. Cardiac growth involves coordination of catabolic and anabolic activities to support ATP generation, macromolecule biosynthesis, and myocyte hypertrophy. Although previous studies suggest that exercise-induced reductions in cardiac glycolysis are critical for physiological myocyte hypertrophy, it remains unclear how exercise influences the many interlinked pathways of metabolism that support adaptive remodeling of the heart. In this thesis project, we tested the general hypothesis that aerobic exercise promotes physiological cardiac growth by coordinating myocardial metabolism to promote glucose-supported anabolic pathway …


2-Day Vs. 4-Day Training Cessation Following A Step Taper In Competitive And Recreational Powerlifters, Benjamin Burke May 2022

2-Day Vs. 4-Day Training Cessation Following A Step Taper In Competitive And Recreational Powerlifters, Benjamin Burke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in maximal strength, perceived recovery and stress state, and body composition alterations in powerlifters undergoing a 2-day or 4-day period of training cessation following a step taper. Ten participants completed a 6-week powerlifting specific training protocol. Body composition, perceived recovery and stress state, and maximal strength in the back squat (BS), bench press (BP), and deadlift (DL) were assessed prior to the overreach week (week 5) and either 2-days or 4-days after the taper. Alpha criterion was set at p≤0.05. There were statistically significant increases in BP (pp=0.03) …


Stress, Stress Appraisal And Coping In Athletic Trainers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lawson Holton Jan 2022

Stress, Stress Appraisal And Coping In Athletic Trainers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lawson Holton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: There have been many studies conducted on the stress and mental health of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) over the past months since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Very limited literature has examined the effect of the pandemic on athletic trainers (ATs). Objective: The aim of this investigation was to examine the stress, stress appraisal, and coping measures of ATs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants were recruited members from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). The Perceived Stress Scale-10 was used to measure stress, the Stress Appraisal Measure was used to measure stress appraisal, and the Brief COPE was used …


The Impact Of Gloves And Simulated Occupational Tasks On Handgrip Strength In Structural Firefighters, Sarah Lanham Jan 2022

The Impact Of Gloves And Simulated Occupational Tasks On Handgrip Strength In Structural Firefighters, Sarah Lanham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adequate handgrip strength (HGS) is important to safely and effectively perform fireground tasks. However, there is limited research describing the deleterious impact of glove use and fatigue from occupational tasks on HGS. Therefore, the aims of this investigation were to quantify the impact of glove use and occupational tasks on HGS, to explore the relationship between HGS versus the glove and task-induced decrement in HGS, and to evaluate the relationship between HGS and decrement in HGS versus occupational performance. Fourteen (Males: n=13) career structural firefighters performed a maximal isometric HGS assessment with and without gloves before and immediately following completion …


The Development Of A Novel Throwing Assessment For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Cory Cribb Jan 2022

The Development Of A Novel Throwing Assessment For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Cory Cribb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is one of childhood's most common developmental disabilities. Cerebral palsy leads to dysfunction in the upper extremities due to symptoms such as low muscle power, spasticity, and increased tone. A modified throwing assessment was constructed to examine throwing performance as a measure of upper extremity function. Purpose: To determine if the modified throwing assessment is a reliable measure of throwing performance and if the modified throwing assessment is a valid measure of upper extremity power in children with CP. Methods: The study employed a test-retest design aimed at determining the reliability of a modified throwing assessment. Seven …


Effects Of Various Golf Bag Loading Strategies On Perceived Exertion And Vertical Jump Performance, Austen Arnold Jan 2022

Effects Of Various Golf Bag Loading Strategies On Perceived Exertion And Vertical Jump Performance, Austen Arnold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: The sport of golf is increasing in popularity among both novice and skilled players alike. A round of golf necessitates players to cope with a range of physically demanding movement patterns. At the collegiate level, golfers must transport their clubs by loading them onto the body. Previous literature has yet to determine how different golf bag carrying positions influence periodic, unloaded jump performance and perceived exertion of the load carrying task. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate how different golf bag load carriage methods may influence vertical jump performance and perceived exertion. METHODS: Five golf bag …


Effects Of Varying Warmup Stimuli On Running Economy, Connor Bigenho Dec 2021

Effects Of Varying Warmup Stimuli On Running Economy, Connor Bigenho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two potentiating warm-up stimuli (weighted-vest strides and plyometrics) on running economy (RE) over short (5-10 minutes) and longer durations (30+ minutes) of exercise in trained distance runners. Methods: Five recreationally trained male runners were recruited to participate in this study. Each trial consisted of a 10-min self-paced warm-up on the treadmill followed by baseline RE test and baseline leg-stiffness. This was immediately followed by one of two intervention warmup protocols. The protocols consisted of either a series of plyometric movements, 6 x 10-sec strides with a …


Recovery Methodologies And High Intensity Interval Training, Blake W. Johnson, Malcom T. Whitehead Nov 2021

Recovery Methodologies And High Intensity Interval Training, Blake W. Johnson, Malcom T. Whitehead

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine recovery from Tabata bodyweight high intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise using different recovery assessment methodologies across 24- and 48-hour time intervals. Participants (23.2 ± 3.1 years old, 163.1 ± 19.9 lbs., and 22.8 ± 9.6 % body fat) consisted of 3 females and 7 males (n=10) Individuals who were recreationally trained (4+ days per week, 30+ minutes per day at moderate to vigorous intensity) and conducted both Trial A (24-hours between HIIT sessions) and Trial B (48-hours between HIIT sessions). Before and during each session, heart rate, countermovement jump, perceptual, …


Deception Of Resistance And The Effects On Muscular Fitness And Perceived Exertion, Tyler Mchenry Aug 2021

Deception Of Resistance And The Effects On Muscular Fitness And Perceived Exertion, Tyler Mchenry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resistance training has been a popular tactic that individuals have used to increase muscular fitness for decades. Muscular fitness includes muscular endurance, strength, and power. However, limitations such as self-efficacy and the Central Governor Theory may influence individual maximal performance ability. One training tactic that has been rarely researched is the deception of resistance during exercise, which is assumed to increase performances in all aspects of muscular fitness and improvements in perceived effort. Inconsistent results have been concluded from previous studies that have examined the same topic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance …


Strength And Body Composition Changes Of Junior Hockey Players During The Competitive Season, Dan Marquette Jan 2021

Strength And Body Composition Changes Of Junior Hockey Players During The Competitive Season, Dan Marquette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study investigated the body composition and strength changes of NAHL junior hockey players across a competitive season. It was hypothesized that players would lose lean body mass loss from pre-season to end-season. The secondary hypothesis was that players would lose strength in relation to the anticipated loss in lean body mass. Methods: Outcome measurements were taken at pre-season, mid-season, and endseason points of a competitive NAHL junior hockey season (n = 15, age = 19.1 years). Body composition was measured using air plethysmography (BodPod) and strength was measured using isokinetic strength testing (Biodex). Results: No significant changes in …


The Effects Of Hip Rotation On Hip Abductor Muscle Activation During Lateral Band Walk Exercise, Gina M. Fritz Jan 2021

The Effects Of Hip Rotation On Hip Abductor Muscle Activation During Lateral Band Walk Exercise, Gina M. Fritz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Lateral band walks (LBW) have been used to strengthen hip abductors and decrease risk of lower extremity injuries. Several methods have been used to complete this exercise to determine which has the best outcome. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activation of the gluteus medius (Gmed), gluteus maximus (Gmax), and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) during straight leg LBW exercises performed using three different hip positions: 30-degree internal rotation, 30-degree external rotation, and a neutral hip position. METHODS: Thirty-seven recreationally active participants (10 male, 27 female; age=21.4±2.2 yr; mass=71.4±13kg; height=1.7±0.1 m) completed this study. Surface EMG …


The Effects Of A Mirror On Cognitive Strategy And Performance Of A Muscular Endurance Task, Brianna M. Simmons Jan 2021

The Effects Of A Mirror On Cognitive Strategy And Performance Of A Muscular Endurance Task, Brianna M. Simmons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: Mirrors are common-place in exercise facilities, however, the effect the mirror has on cognitive strategy (i.e., where the mind’s at) and performance time has not been examined in a muscular endurance task (i.e., a wall sit). Objective: To determine, (1) the mirror’s effect on cognitive state during a wall sit to volitional exhaustion, (2) the mirror's effect on time to volitional exhaustion during a wall sit, and (3) the mirror’s effect on the participant’s rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the wall sit. Design: Repeated measures design. Setting: Indoor exercise facility. Participants: Twenty resistance-trained Georgia Southern University Students (9 …


Recreational Female Crossfit Athletes And Low Energy Availability, Alison Kuch Jan 2021

Recreational Female Crossfit Athletes And Low Energy Availability, Alison Kuch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CrossFit is a demanding sport in which athletes perform constantly varied, functional movements at a high intensity, therefore requiring an adequate energy availability to avoid negative health and performance consequences. The purpose of this study was to assess risk of low energy availability (low EA) (phase 1) among recreational, female CrossFit athletes and measure and calculate energy availability using a 7-day dietary to measure energy intake (EI) and exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) (phase 2). In phase 1, using the LEAF-Q (Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire), 49% of survey respondents (n=149) were found to be at risk of low EA. …


Long-Term Disability Following A Hamstring Injury, Savannah Mclain Jan 2021

Long-Term Disability Following A Hamstring Injury, Savannah Mclain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: Injuries to the hamstring complex are one of the most commonly seen lower extremity injuries in athletic populations. It is currently unknown how psychological or sociological factors affect an athlete after the recovery process has ended and if these factors play a role in re-injury rates relating to the hamstring. It is also unknown if athlete confidence level changes while in a fatigued state after an athlete returns to play from a hamstring injury. METHODS: Twenty-six physically active adults with and without a previous hamstring injury were recruited for this study. Participants completed a Qualtrics survey that …


Current Recommendations For Lower Body Aerobic Exercise In Chronic Unilateral Stroke - A Systematic Review, Jordan N. Brown Jan 2021

Current Recommendations For Lower Body Aerobic Exercise In Chronic Unilateral Stroke - A Systematic Review, Jordan N. Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Chronic stroke patients (i.e., > six months since the onset of stroke) continue to experience persistent gait complications. Once formal physical therapy concludes, exercise professionals can implement exercise interventions designed to improve quality of life and reduce risk of secondary stroke. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether lower-body aerobic exercise transferred to gait improvements in chronic unilateral stroke. Methods: An electronic search of the following databases were undertaken: MEDLINE, CINHAL, Ovid, and SPORTdiscus. Two independent reviewers selected articles using predetermined inclusion criteria: adults (i.e., >18 years old) who suffered from a chronic unilateral stroke. Additionally, all included studies were …


Block Periodization Programming: Efficacy In Subjects Of Differing Strength Levels, Paul Moquin Dec 2020

Block Periodization Programming: Efficacy In Subjects Of Differing Strength Levels, Paul Moquin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physiological muscle adaptations due to resistance training are still not fully known. The rate and area of hypertrophy could drastically help or hinder athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to observe the changes in lean body mass (and related factors), relative allometrically scaled strength and absolute strength through an 11-week block periodized resistance training program. The subjects (n = 15) realized an increase in total body water (pre = 49.77Kg; post = 51.70Kg), lean body mass (pre = 67.98Kg; post = 70.63Kg), adjusted lean body mass (pre = 20.35Kg; post = 21.03Kg) and cross sectional area (pre = …


Zebrafish As A Model To Understand The Impact Of Inactivity And Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation On Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Elisabeth Kilroy Aug 2020

Zebrafish As A Model To Understand The Impact Of Inactivity And Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation On Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Elisabeth Kilroy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle plasticity is imperative for functional adaptation to changing demands in activity. Although a great deal is known about the structural and functional plasticity of healthy skeletal muscle, far less is known about plasticity in diseased muscle. Here, we combined the power of the zebrafish model with the adaptability of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to study the basic mechanisms of plasticity in the zebrafish model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Four NMES paradigms, defined by their frequency, delay, and voltage, were designed to emulate the repetition and load schemes of human resistance training programs. Additionally, two inactivity paradigms were …


The Relationship Between Cell-Free Dna And Resistance Training, Henry Lang Aug 2020

The Relationship Between Cell-Free Dna And Resistance Training, Henry Lang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purposes of this dissertation were to explore relationship between cell free DNA (cf-DNA), creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), vertical jump testing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in response to a high-volume resistance training protocol, and to assess the sensitivity of cf-DNA to different resistance training volume loads. The secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between cf-DNA and relative strength. Study 1 was an exploratory attempt to discover relationships between cf-DNA, CK, CRP, delayed onset muscle soreness, and performance variables. Seventeen resistance trained males were recruited, 9 were randomly assigned to receive BCAAs while 8 received a …


The Effects Of Increasing Running Speed On Vgrf And Asymmetry, Kaela M. Hierholzer Aug 2020

The Effects Of Increasing Running Speed On Vgrf And Asymmetry, Kaela M. Hierholzer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biomechanical and physiological parameters related to running performance are usually studied separately. However, evaluating both aspects together could be beneficial in improving athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to observe the change in peak vGRF and asymmetry as speed increases, while observing physiological responses during a O2maxtest. Data from athlete monitoring of 12 cross-country and triathlon athletes were analyzed. The athlete monitoring protocol included three unweighted countermovement jumps and a O2maxtest performed by the athletes. The athletes had an average O2maxof 53.4 ± 7.7 mL/kg/min, while their average vGRF asymmetry throughout the …


The Effects Of Different Set Configurations On Concentric Velocities In The Barbell Back Squat, Hanson Wong Aug 2020

The Effects Of Different Set Configurations On Concentric Velocities In The Barbell Back Squat, Hanson Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if concentric velocities of lighter loads of could be augmented if they are performed heavier working sets. Twelve trained males with experience in the barbell back squat performed a 5RM and completed two separate squat training session conditions that consisted of three sets of five repetitions with 85% of their 5RM. Both conditions differed in the placement of a reduced-load set that was either performed after the working sets or during the warm-up period. No significant differences were observed in the working set MCVs in both conditions. Additionally, no significant differences were …


Effects Of Pre-Workout Caffeine Supplementation On Post-Exercise Hypotension, Shelby L. Gibbs May 2020

Effects Of Pre-Workout Caffeine Supplementation On Post-Exercise Hypotension, Shelby L. Gibbs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is believed to play a major role in the antihypertensive health benefits of exercise. While it has been shown that resistance exercise is effective at eliciting PEH, commonly consumed sports supplements may attenuate or completely eliminate that response. Caffeine, a popular stimulant, is often consumed prior to exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pre-workout caffeine supplementation on the post-exercise hypotensive response in adults with above normal blood pressure. Participants (n = 5) were recreationally resistance trained men and women who consumed placebo or caffeine (3 mg/kg bodyweight) 45-minutes prior to …


Bilateral Muscle Oxygenation Kinetics In Response To Repeat Sprint Cycling In Strong And Weak Individuals, John Abbott May 2020

Bilateral Muscle Oxygenation Kinetics In Response To Repeat Sprint Cycling In Strong And Weak Individuals, John Abbott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Repeat sprint ability has been investigated thoroughly, however optimal training methodology to improve RSA remains elusive. Both kinetic and physiological viewpoints have been used to scrutinize aspects of RSA including, initial sprint performance (anaerobic power), maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), lactate threshold, anaerobic capacity (mean power), muscle activation (EMG), and local muscle oxygenation kinetics. To our knowledge no study has utilized maximal strength levels as a separate factor among a homogenous group of cardiorespiratory fitness individuals (as determined by peak VO2 during RSA). The purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between maximal strength, muscular characteristics, and cycling …


The Effects Of Resistance Deception On Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, And Perceived Exertion, Broderick L. Dickerson Apr 2020

The Effects Of Resistance Deception On Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, And Perceived Exertion, Broderick L. Dickerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resistance deception during training is a lightly researched topic and is seen as a modification that can potentially act on central control during exercise. Studies that have observed effects of deception while training have yielded mixed results. The effects of deception on strength, muscular endurance, and perceived exertion and the mechanisms of action that may elicit changes are still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of resistance deception on muscular strength, muscular endurance, and perceived exertion in a trained population. Eight participants finished the study and underwent four trials, one of which was a …