Life Sciences Commons^™

The Hemostatic Effects Of Acute Exposure To Colored Cornstarch Powder During A 5k Run, Robert C. Allsbrook

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

PURPOSE: To examine the acute hemostatic effects of particulate matter (PM) in the form of colored corn starch powder during a 5 kilometer race. METHODS: 10 recreationally active adults completed two 5k runs, one with color and one without color. 10 mL blood samples were taken 6 hours prior to the trial and immediately following the trial. PAI-1 activity, FVIII antigen, and tPA activity were measured using an ELISA. RESULTS: No significant main effects or interaction effects (P<0.05) were observed among any of the variables although a trend (P = 0.082) was observed for increased PAI-1 activity during exercise in the color condition. CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend towards increased PAI-1 activity levels during exercise during color runs that could be due to increased inflammation. Furthermore, the lack of increased FVIII:ag and tPA activity suggests that the intensity of the exercise may not have been adequate and further research should be conducted in this area.

The Effects Of Experimental Anterior Knee Pain On Bilateral Ground Reaction Forces During Running, Emily Rachel Cronk

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the independent effects of anterior knee pain (AKP) on bilateral ground reaction force (GRF) during running, with a focus on GRF applied to the uninvolved leg, which, prior to this study, had never been evaluated. Twelve volunteers completed three data collection sessions, that corresponded to one of three conditions (control, sham, and pain), in a counterbalanced order. For each session, subjects ran for five minutes. For the pain and sham sessions, respectively, hypertonic and isotonic saline were infused into the infrapatellar fat pad of the right leg during the running, while no …

The Differences In Time To Stability, Foot Muscle Size, And Toe Flexor Strength Between Cheerleaders And Gymnasts, Kelsey Renee Garner

Theses and Dissertations

Context: There has been recent speculation that the intrinsic muscles of the foot may play a larger role in lower extremity control and injury than previously believed. Multiple studies have shown that certain intrinsic muscles increase in size and strength after transitioning to minimalist shoe running, theoretically decreasing injury risk. There are currently no studies that examine the effect that training barefoot has in other athletic populations. Objective: Our purpose was to compare the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle size and strength in gymnasts (who predominantly train barefoot) and cheerleaders (who predominantly train shod). Another purpose was to measure time …

Effects Of Wider Step Width On Knee Biomechanics In Obese And Healthy-Weight Participants During Stair Ascent, Derek Scott Yocum

Masters Theses

An increased likelihood of developing obesity-related knee osteoarthritis may be associated with increased peak internal knee abduction moment. Increases in step width may act to reduce this moment. This study focused on how step width influenced the knee joint during stair ascent by healthy and obese participants. Participants ascended stairs while walking at their preferred speed and under one of two step width conditions – preferred and increased. Obese participants experienced greater mediolateral and vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs), as well as increased peak knee extensor moments and push-off peak internal knee adduction moments. The findings of this study indicate …

Daily Variability Of Body Weight And Hydration Markers In Free Living Men And Women, Lynndee Grace Summers

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Body weight and hydration markers change greatly during strenuous exercise, especially in the heat. However, in a non-athletic population, changes in body weight and hydration markers may not be so obvious. It is important to classify the normal fluctuation of these measurements for future studies in order to delineate when an intervention results in a change outside of what can be expected during normal daily living. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the normal fluctuations in body weight and urine hydration markers over the course of 29 days. METHODS: One-hundred two male and female participants, ranging from …

Associations Between Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, And Falls Risk In Healthy Older Individuals, Christopher Deane Vaughan

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess relationships between objectively measured physical activity, physical fitness, and the risk of falling. Methods: A total of n=29 subjects completed the study, n=15 male and n=14 female age (mean±SD)= 70± 4 and 71±3 years, respectively. In a single testing session, subjects performed pre-post evaluations of falls risk (Short-from PPA) with a 6-minute walking intervention between the assessments. The falls risk assessment included tests of balance, knee extensor strength, proprioception, reaction time, and visual contrast. The sub-maximal effort 6-minute walking task served as an indirect assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness. Subjects traversed a …

The Neuroprotective Effects Of Endurance Training On The Aging Brain, Katelyn Norton

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Dysregulation of autonomic control often develops with advancing age, favoring a chronic state of heightened sympathetic outflow with parasympathetic withdrawal. However, the mechanisms of this age-related autonomic impairment are not known and may relate to alterations in brain structure (e.g. cortical atrophy) and/or altered neural function, particularly in regions related to the cortical autonomic network, namely, the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), insula cortex (IC), and hippocampus (HC). Exercise exerts beneficial effects on brain structure and, in the case of cognition, neurologic function; however, how exercise affects regions of the brain related to autonomic function are not known. This thesis tested …

Indicator Amino Acid Derived Estimates Of Dietary Protein Requirement In Exercise-Trained Individuals, Arash Bandegan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Despite a number of nitrogen balance (NB) studies indicating increased dietary protein needs in Endurance (ET) and strength (ST) trained athletes, the Institute of Medicine (2005) has concluded, based largely on methodological concerns, that “no additional dietary protein is suggested for healthy adults undertaking resistance or endurance exercise”. Indicator amino acid oxidation method (IAAO) has been recently used for determination of protein requirement in humans. This method is based on the concept that when one indispensable amino acid (AA) is deficient for protein synthesis, then all other AA, including the indicator, will be considered excess and oxidized. With increasing intakes …

Effects Of Television Viewing On Psycho-Physiological And Behavioral Outcomes, Brittany Star Overstreet

Doctoral Dissertations

Purpose: To determine the effects of television viewing during exercise on 1) preference for exercise and 2) treadmill walking time. Methods: Twenty-five insufficiently active adults (mean±standard deviation; age: 46±12 years; Body mass index: 31±5 kilogram/squared meter (kg/m²) were recruited for this study. In part 1, participants performed three randomized 1/3-mile walking bouts at an intensity equivalent to 70% of their oxygen consumption at ventilatory threshold (VO₂-at-VT). During these exercise bouts, individuals viewed 1) their favorite television program (FavTV), 2) a standardized nature program (NatTV) or 3) no-TV program (NoTV). A behavioral choice paradigm was used to …

Effect Of Hydration Status On Thermoregulatory Responses In Non-Obese And Obese Males, Matthew Tucker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During heat stress the human body thermoregulates via cutaneous vasodilation and sweating. Hypohydration can impair thermoregulatory responses that stem from the central nervous system (CNS), but it is unknown if impairments also occur post-synaptically in the microcirculation. Moreover, obese individuals may have impaired thermoregulation, possibly due to microvascular dysfunction. Purpose: The purpose of these studies was two-fold: 1) to determine if obese (OB) individuals exhibit impairments in thermoregulatory responses during exercise heat-stress (centrally-mediated) and intradermal infusion of vasoactive substances (peripherally-mediated) versus non-obese (N-OB), and 2) to determine if hypohydration subsequently affects these thermoregulatory responses differently between groups. Methods: Twenty-one healthy, …

Seasonal Perceived Training Load In Ncaa Di Men’S Soccer: Is There A Dose-Response Relationship?, Andrew A. Pustina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine if a there was a dose-response relationship across an NCAA Division I men’s soccer season. Specifically, this dissertation serves to: 1.) assess the validity of duration measurements that have previously been used to calculate session RPE during competitive matches, 2.) determine the degree and magnitude of change in intermittent endurance performance across a season and to observe how change in endurance relates with training load, 3.) determine the degree and magnitude of change in strength and explosiveness across a season, and to see how these strength changes relate to training load. 1.) …

Positional And Match Action Profiles Of Elite Women’S Field Hockey Players In Relationship To The 2015 Fih Rule Changes, Heather A. Abbott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation was to examine the action profiles of elite field hockey players in relationship to the 2015 FIH rule change. The following are major findings of the dissertation: The following are major findings of the dissertation: Study 1 – Relative action profiles before the rule change revealed that defenders work at a lower meter per minute (m/min) when compared with all other positions, and that forwards, midfielders, and screens perform similar m/min during a game. Examination of pre rule change difference from the 1st to the 2nd half play showed that elite level field hockey players …

Relationship Between Lower Body Strength, Countermovement Jump Height, And Optimal Drop Jump Drop Height, Cameron V. Griggs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between back squat one-repetition maximum relative to body mass (1RMrel), countermovement jump height (CMJH), and optimal drop height in drop jump (DHopt). Fifteen male participants with various sport backgrounds and training experience completed a one repetition maximum (1RM) back squat, maximum countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ) from incrementally increasing drop heights to determine which drop height elicited the greatest jump height. The DHopt testing protocol was unique in that smaller increments were used to determine DHopt compared to what has been reported in literature previously. Pearson correlation coefficients …

Improving Power Output In Older Adults Utilizing Plyometrics In An Alterg Treadmill, Tyler Dobbs

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare functional strength and power output in older adults who completed plyometric training in an AlterG treadmill compared to older adults who completed traditional resistance training. Methods: Twenty-three older adults were randomized to a strength (SG), plyometric (PG), or control group (CG). SG and PG exercised 3x/week for 8 weeks while CG performed no exercise. Measures of a timed sit-to-stand, stair climb, estimated maximal muscular strength, and isokinetic power were taken at pre and post testing. A repeated measures 2x3 (time x group) ANOVA was used to determine if there was a significant …

Observing Renal Responses To Endurance Cycling In The Heat, Cody Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

AIM: To observe the effects of endurance cycling in the heat on renal function, and determine if the extent of impairment is related to hydration. METHODS: 40 cyclists (34 male, 6 female, 52 ± 9 y, 21.7 ± 6.5 % body fat) completed an endurance cycling event (5.7 ± 1.2 hours) in the heat (33.2 ± 5.0ºC, 38.4 ± 10.7% RH). Body mass was assessed to determine net fluid loss, muscle damage in the legs was assessed with a pain scale, a urine sample was collected to analyze hydration status, and a blood sample was drawn. All measurements were taken …

Mental Toughness, Grit, And Motivational Differences In Single-Sport And Multi-Sport Athletes, Cole Justin Shewmake

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Whether it is at work, school or sports, mental toughness (MT), grit and motivation are essential to accomplishing goals. Sports can be an integral platform for developing MT, grit, and factors that increase motivation levels, and it is during childhood and adolescence that these characteristics may develop. All of this could prove beneficial into adulthood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine MT, grit and motivational orientations of single-sport and multi-sport athletes at different levels of competition. Considering MT, a 2 x 2 ANOVA indicated no significant interaction effect between athlete type and competition level, F(1, 387) = …

The Influence Of Strength-Training Exercises On The Functional Fitness In Older Adults, Susie Engle

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of strength-training exercises on the functional fitness in older adults. The original convenience sample consisted of 658 participants who attended group strength-training classes offered through the Cooperative Extension Service. The Senior Fitness Test was used to assess baseline fitness levels at the beginning and end of the 12-week strength-training program. Data was collected from 2008 to 2015. Of the 658 participants, 110 were aged 60 to 94 and presented posttest scores occurring approximately 12 weeks after pretest dates. Of the 110 subjects, 99 were female and 11 were male. The …

Validity And Reliability Of A Photographic Method Of Assessing Body Composition, Elizabeth Z. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The LeanScreenTM app uses photographs and touchscreen technology of an iPad or iPhone to estimate body composition using the Department of Defense (DoD) prediction equations that use cirumference measurements of the neck, abdomen, waist, and hips. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the LeanScreenTM app in 148 weight-stable adults (82 men, 66 women) who were normal weight, overweight, or obese as defined by body mass index. The percent body fat (%BF) of each subject was estimated during one visit using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometery (DXA) as the criterion measure, and three field methods: the …

Association Between Expanded Normal Weight Obesity And Insulin Resistance Among U.S. Adults In The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Keilah Elizabeth Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to expand the evaluation of Normal Weight Obesity (NWO) and its association with insulin resistance using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. A cross-sectional study including 5,983 subjects was conducted. Body fat percentage was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Expanded Normal Weight Obesity (eNWO) categories (pairings of BMI and body fat percentage classifications) were determined by standard cut-points for BMI and the gender specific median for body fat percentage. Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were used to index insulin resistance. Mean ± SE values were as follows: BMI: 27.9 ± …

Effects Of An In-Bed Resistance Exercise Program For Hospitalized High Risk Pregnant Women On Postpartum Functional Ability And Psychosocial Health, Charity Mccarthy

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Hospitalised high-risk pregnant women (HHRPW) report physiological deconditioning similar to non-pregnant bed-rested patients. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an in-bed resistance exercise program to reduce the side-effects of activity-restriction in HHRPW. It was hypothesized that HHRPW who exercised while in hospital would have better functional ability and a higher quality of life at two months postpartum compared to HHRPW with no exercise program. HHRPW were activity-restricted (1940 ±1405 steps/day) in hospital and reported high rates of anxiety and depression. Nine women were randomized to either a supervised in-bed exercise (n=5) or into a …

The Effects Of Various Warm-Up Devices On Bat Velocity And Trajectory In Collegiate Baseball Players, Jordan L. Cola

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of various weighted warm-up devices on standard baseball bat velocity and trajectory in collegiate baseball players. Methods: Three, right-handed hitters (mean age= 19.3yrs ±1.5yrs; height= 1.74m±.13m; mass=81kg ±20.4kg; baseball experience=14.2 ±1.3) volunteered for this study. Maximal bat velocity was obtained by swinging the 30oz standard bat for the control condition. Participants were then instructed to perform a general and specific warm-up with each of the weighted bats (standard bat with 16oz donut ring (46oz total) and standard bat with 24oz power sleeve (54oz total)) on separate days. Following the …

Comparison Of Two Body Weight Screenings Of Self-Conscious Emotions And Coping, Rachel N. Nanez Ms.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Novel technologies are currently being utilized in fitness and clinical settings. However, there is not much research to examine the emotional responses to such screenings.

PURPOSE: To examine the group differences between the FIT3D and DXA protocol on emotional responses and the differences between weight classifications.

METHODS: The Body and Appearance-related Self-conscious Emotions Scale and WEIGHTCOPE were used to assess self-conscious emotions and intention to utilize 10 different weight-related coping strategies following the scans. Motivation was measured by a 10-point Likert scale measuring motivation pre and post scans.

RESULTS: There were no differences in motivation, affective response, or intention to …

Stop The Pricks: A Validation Study Of A Noninvasive Lactate Threshold Device, Rebecca M. Mcmorries

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the validity of a noninvasive lactate threshold device (NID) to determine lactate threshold heart rate (LTHR) and aerobic threshold heart rate (AeTHR).

Methods: Twenty-one recreational athletes completed a personalized graded exercise test on a treadmill. All participants wore the noninvasive device and blood lactate samples were taken at the end of 3-minute stages. Lactate threshold heart rate and aerobic threshold heart rate were then calculated using four traditional methods and compared against the same heart rate values calculated by the device.

Results: No significant differences were found in lactate threshold …

Hematological Changes In Response To A Drastic Increase In Training Volume In Recreational Cyclists, Jessie E. Axsom

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Changes in blood volume contribute to improvement in VO2max with chronic endurance exercise training. Although hematological changes to chronic endurance training have been well documented, it has not been well established whether an increased volume of training in trained individuals preferentially affects plasma volume vs. red cell volume. To answer this question, we studied 8 female and 3 male recreational cyclists before and after exposure to drastic increases in training volume. Following the 10-week training period, mean Hct of the 10 subjects who completed the study significantly (p<0.05) increased from 42.9% to 48.45%. Mean Hb also increased significantly (p<0.05) from 14.6g/dL to 16.4 g/dL. The changes in Hct and Hb were not significantly (p>0.05) correlated with the change in self-reported weekly mileage (R = 0.13 …

Macronutrient Supplementation For Endurance Athletes, Jonathan B. Hurst

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Purpose: The present study addressed two questions related to macronutrient supplementation during endurance exercise. Firstly, the effects of carbohydrate and protein co-ingestion on time trial (TT) performance were compared to carbohydrate alone. Secondly, the effects of isolated protein ingestion on TT performance were compared to a placebo.

Methods: Six trained cyclists (Age: 22 ± 1 years; Height: 167 ± 12 cm; Weight: 60 ± 10 kg; VO_2max: 62 ± 7 ml/kg/min) completed four experimental trials, consisting of constant-load cycling for two hours (55% W_max) immediately followed by a 30-km simulated time trial. During the trials, subjects …

A 16-Week Run Sprint Interval Training Does Not Have An Effect On Cardiovascular Risk Measured By Framingham Risk Score On Prediabetic Women, Joan A. Mandelson

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The Framingham risk score (FRS) was developed to determine the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the next 10 years using an individual’s age, gender, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), smoking habits, and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Run-sprint interval training (R-SIT) has shown improvements in various health and blood markers while reducing total exercise time. To date there has not been a study that examines the effects of R-SIT and moderate intensity training (MIT) on framingham risk. The purpose of this study was to determine if a reduction of the 10-year risk of CVD (determined by …

A Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet Combined With Six Weeks Of Crossfit Training Improves Body Composition And Performance, Rachel M. Gregory

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

A low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) is a popular approach to weight and fat loss. CrossFit is a high-intensity power training (HIPT) type exercise for all levels of age and fitness that has gained recognition as one of the fasting growing sports in America. No previous research has been found which examines body composition changes or performance in individuals consuming a LCKD and participating in CrossFit training. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of a 6-week LCKD and CrossFit program on body composition and performance. METHODS: Twenty-seven non-elite CrossFit subjects (mean ± SD age = …

A Single Night Of Sleep Restriction Impairs Recovery From Heavy Exercise, John D. Chase

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

We examined the effects of one night of sleep restriction (Sleep-; 2.5 hrs) on subsequent 3-km cycling performance and skeletal muscle recovery from heavy exercise compared to a full night of rest (Sleep+; 7 hrs). Seven recreational cyclists (n=6 male, n=1 female; age = 24.4 ± 7 yrs; height = 170 ± 10 cm; weight = 68 ± 13 kg VO_2max = 61.5 ± 4.4 ml/kg/min) completed four simulated 3-km time trials (TT) and six peak isokinetic torque trials at different speeds (30 and 120°/sec) under both conditions. The first exercise trial (EX1) consisted …

The Effect Of Sleep Restriction On Coagulation And Fibrinolysis After Heavy Exercise, Paul A. Roberson

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Introduction: Research has shown exercise elicits a hemostatic response affecting coagulation and fibrinolysis. Furthermore, prior research has determined circadian fluctuations exist where clotting potential increases in the morning as a result of increased PAI-1 and decreased tPA which is further exacerbated by exercise. These circadian fluctuations and exercise responses have the potential to be accentuated by poor sleep. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of sleep restriction on tPA activity, PAI-1 activity, and Factor VIII antigen activity (FVIII) while resting and after exercise.

Methods: 7 Subjects underwent two similar exercises sessions (EX). EX1 occurred in the …

The Influence Of Time-Of-Day Consumption And Training Status On The Ergogenic Properties Of Caffeine, James C. Boyett

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Purpose: The objectives were to determine the effects of time-of-day consumption and training status on the benefits of caffeine supplementation for cycling performance and peak muscle strength. METHODS: Twenty untrained and trained subjects completed four trials consisting of isokinetic peak torque testing and 3-km time trials (TT). Subjects ingested either 6 mg/kg of caffeine or a placebo one hour prior to each trial. Treatments were: morning + placebo, morning + caffeine, evening + placebo, evening + caffeine. Magnitude based inferences were used to evaluate treatment differences. RESULTS: Caffeine (‘very likely’ and ‘likely’) improved 3-km TT performance in the morning and …