Life Sciences Commons^™

Running Decreases Knee Intra-Articular Cytokine And Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Concentrations: A Pilot Study, Robert D. Hyldahl, Alyssa Evans, Sunku Kwon, Sarah T. Ridge, Eric Robinson, J. Ty Hopkins, Matthew K. Seeley

Faculty Publications

Introduction Regular exercise protects against degenerative joint disorders, yet the mechanisms that underlie these benefits are poorly understood. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is widely implicated in the onset and progression of degenerative joint disease.

Purpose To examine the effect of running on knee intra-articular and circulating markers of inflammation and cartilage turnover in healthy men and women.

Methods Six recreational runners completed a running (30 min) and control (unloaded for 30 min) session in a counterbalanced order. Synovial fluid (SF) and serum samples were taken before and after each session. Cytokine concentration was measured in SF and serum using a multiplexed …

Barriers, Motivations, And Preferences For Physical Activity Among Female African American Older Adults, Neha P. Gothe, Bradley J. Kendall

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 11% of adults more than the age of 65 meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Among minority populations, only 5% of non-Hispanic Black older adults met the guidelines. Given our limited understanding of psychosocial and environmental factors that affect physical activity participation in these groups, the purpose of our focus groups was to investigate barriers, motivators, and preferences of physical activity for community-dwelling African American older adults. Three focus groups were conducted with female African American older adults (N = 20). Questions posed to each focus group …

Active Science® Pilot Study: Promoting Physical Activity And Science Learning Among Children, Kevin E. Finn, Zi Yan, Edward Martin, Kyle Mcinnis

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Afterschool programs (ASPs) have been identified as ideal settings where children can accumulate a significant portion of their total daily physical activity (PA). The purpose of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of the Active Science program in promoting PA and science learning in different site locations across the U.S. Methods: Participants were 72 children (35 females, mean age = 9.2 years, standard deviation [SD] = 0.9) from five YMCA afterschool childcare sites located in five states. The 6-week Active Science program was implemented twice/week for 60 min at a site. The participants completed 30 min of …

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

Human Movement Sciences & 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 Relationship Between Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction, Behavioral Regulation, And Participation In Crossfit, Melissa J. Davies, Lyndsie Coleman, Megan Babkes Stellino

College of the Pacific Faculty Articles

CrossFit can be described as a relatively new fitness training method that is based on a variety of high-intensity weight training, body weight movements, and cardiovascular exercise. Given the recent rise in CrossFit establishments, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between basic need satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness, competence), behavioral regulation toward CrossFit, and actual participation behaviors within the framework of Self-Determination Theory. CrossFit participants (N = 206; Mage = 37.6 years), majority Caucasian (76%), females (58%), who reported attending three (n = 91; 44.2%) and five (n = 78; 37.9%) CrossFit sessions per week completed online surveys …

Exercise To The Rescue: An Analysis Of Altered Metabolic Gene Regulation Post-Exercise In Lean And Obese Individuals, Brandon Mudd

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The skeletal muscle of obese individuals exhibits a depressed ability to metabolize fats. Exercise training is thought to rescue this dampened ability to metabolize fats; mediated by a coordinated increase in the expression of a network of genes that regulate metabolism and fuel utilization. The purpose of this study is to determine the exercise-induced regulation of metabolically important genes in lean and obese individuals. Muscle biopsies (one pre-exercise/baseline and one immediately post-exercise) were obtained from 4 lean (BF% 24.4 ± 5.5; 23.5 yrs ± 1.9) and 13 obese (BF% 39.7 ± 2.4; 26.1 yrs ± 2.3), age-matched, relatively young subjects, …

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 …

Relationship Between Body Composition, Fitness, And Eating Behaviors And Markers Of Metabolic Suppression In Exercising Men, Mikayla K. Locke, Karsten Koehler

UCARE Research Products

Introduction: Chronic dieting can result in characteristic metabolic adaptations such as a suppression of resting metabolic rate (RMR). Previous research has focused on health outcomes related to metabolic suppression in female athletes, which include impaired menstrual and bone health. The study purpose was to assess the relationship between metabolic suppression and body composition, fitness, and eating behavior traits in exercising men.

Approach: Cross-sectional study comparing exercising men who display evidence of metabolic suppression (MS) and a control group (Con). RMR was used as a surrogate marker of metabolic suppression.

Results and Discussion: When compared to Con, MS …

Results Of A Nine Month Home-Based Physical Activity Intervention For People Living With Hiv., Jason R. Jaggers, Joanna M. Snead, Felipe Lobelo, Gregory A. Hand, Wesley D. Dudgeon, Vivek K. Prasad, Stephanie Burgess, Steven N. Blair

Faculty Scholarship

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to test the feasibility of a home-based moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) program for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) currently taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods: 68 participants recruited for a 9-month home-based PA intervention aimed to reduce risk factors of cardiovascular disease for PLWHA taking ART. All participants received an educational weight loss workbook and a pedometer for self-monitoring of physical activity. The intervention group received elastic Therabands® for strength training in addition to telephone based behavioral coaching. Clinical assessments were conducted at baseline and each follow-up which also included psychometric questionnaires and PA …

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 …

Implementation Of Exercise Is Medicine On Campus At Uri, Gabrielle E. Tyer

Senior Honors Projects

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics, the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the United States are chronic diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes. There has been recent attention paid to the role that higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of physical inactivity can play in the prevention and management of chronic disease. As a result of the strength of this evidence, the American College of Sports Medicine, in partnership with the American Medical Association, created the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative. The goal …

Exercise Is Medicine, Colby A. Sousa

Senior Honors Projects

College student are often faced with new challenges upon arrival to campus, including making independent decisions about their health and wellness.

As students face new academic and social responsibilities, issues with time management and stress often compromise many students abilities to adopt and maintain health promoting behaviors, including eating well and participating in regular physical activity. The adoption of less health promoting behaviors is associated with increases in rates of illness, increases in weight, adoption of poor sleeping patterns and increasingly poor stress management.

As such, knowledge of the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity/ exercise for optimal health …

Nutrition And Exercise: Best Of Both Worlds, Jacob Allen Burns, Lukas Swysgood, Trenton Antonaros

Senior Year Experience Student Projects

To teach the students of the Best of Both Worlds (BOBW) program how to live a healthy lifestyle by introducing simple nutrition and exercise methods that can be done at home. To offer a program that is understandable at all levels of education that introduces effective and easy ways to eat healthier and exercise simply. A PowerPoint that explains nutrition and exercise information. Hands on learning and visuals to help students capture positive health ideas. Interactive demonstration of exercises and introduction of banded exercises. A before and after survey to quiz students on knowledge prior to and after seminar. An …

The Effects Of Fitness Level And Sex On Epoc Following High Intensity Interval And Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise, Rachel Lauren Simmons

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

In the past few years, much attention has been directed toward shorter-duration vigorous intensity aerobic exercise as opposed to longer-duration moderate intensity exercise. There is conflicting evidence as to whether vigorous exercise can result in a greater excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and thus more calories burned when compared to moderate continuous exercise performed for a longer duration. In addition, the literature contains a dearth of information isolating and investigating male and female response to these exercises, as well as fit and unfit subjects. The purpose of this study was to quantify EPOC following moderate intensity aerobic exercise (MOD) and …

Factors Lnfluencing Weight Gain And Perceived Barriers Of Exercise In First Semester College Students, Noah C. Neuenfeldt

Masters Theses

College students believe that university weight management interventions impact their health habits. This suggests that universities can play a large role in encouraging students to be active. The purpose of this study was to investigate this claim and to acquire a better understanding of weight change in first year college students in the first semester. We specifically sought to identify the variables that influence weight gain, as well as determine the awareness and usage of resources available to the students. A survey was given to first year students addressing the variables of interest including change in weight and Body Mass …

Neural Response To Food Cues After Moderate And Vigorous Exercise In Women: A Randomized Crossover Trial, Jillesa Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of different intensities of acute exercise on attention allocation to visual food cues, postexercise energy intake, and subjective measures of hunger in women. METHODS: This crossover study utilized treatment conditions that were randomized and counter-balanced. Fifty-two adult women, 18-29 years, were compared under three separate conditions: no exercise, 45 min of moderate-intensity exercise at 3.9 METs and 22.5 min of vigorous-intensity exercise at 7.8 METs. To measure attention allocation to visual food cues, participants were shown a passive viewing task consisting of a continual stream of pictures of food (high and low calorie) and …

The Effect Of An 8-Minute Yoga Breathing Program On Fitness, Weight Loss And Breathing Capacity, Jerrold S. Petrofsky, Michael S. Laymon, Iman Akef Khowailed, Haneul Lee, Allie Petrofsky

College of Health & Human Services (TUN) Publications and Research

This was a single blinded randomized study with an intervention group and a control group to examine a modification in lifestyle and an 8-minute exercise session each day to lose weight. Fifty-seven female subjects participated. Subjects underwent girth measurements at the umbilicus, hips, thigh and upper arm; weight, height (for BMI), body fat, heart rate, blood pressure, abdominal strength, leg strength, arm strength, sedentary O2 saturation, treadmill challenged O2 saturation, resting metabolism (which includes fat metabolism), and lung capacity. Measures were repeated at baseline and the end of the 6-week period. During the 6-week period, they followed a healthy recommended …

Exercising Independently And Exercising Independence: A Phenomenological Study Of Physical Activity And Choice Among Adults With An Intellectual Disability, Sheila O'Sullivan

Theses

Aim/Background: This study examines how adults with intellectual disabilities choose the physical activities they engage in, inside and outside of the day service they attend. Of particular relevance are the benefits derived from physical activity which promotes wellbeing, inclusivity, new opportunities and social acceptance for people with intellectual disability. This is timely in light of current policy with regard to New Directions 2012-2016 which is directed towards moving people with ID from congregated to community settings and the enactment of the recent Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act (2015) which supports decision-making for all citizens.

Methodology: The study used phenomenological analysis …

The Relationship Between Exercise And Depression And Anxiety In College Students, Joshua Frank, Dr. Amy Adkins, Nathan Thomas, Dr. Danielle Dick

Undergraduate Research Posters

The literature shows an inverse association between exercise and mental disorders. The aim of this study is to further elaborate on this association with regards to exercise and its relationship with anxiety and depression in a college sample. The subject group focused on seniors in the Spit for Science data set which incorporated a total of 821 students. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to estimate the overall metabolic equivalents (MET’s) each student spent in walking, moderate, or vigorous activity levels in the previous week. Sum scores were used to measure depression and anxiety. Overall,the …

The Effects Of External Focus Of Attention Exercise Rehabilitation On Dual Task Walking In Parkinson's Disease, Eric N. Beck

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Parkinson’s disease impairs control of well-learned movements, and therefore, individuals with Parkinson’s disease are forced to walk with greater conscious control. This causes difficulties while walking and completing a secondary task simultaneously (dual tasking), in that distractions from conscious control of walking increase the risk of falls and injury. Although, attention-based exercise may be a potential avenue to decrease the demands associated with walking in Parkinson’s disease. For example, an external focus of attention (on manipulated objects) has been found to recruit the networks that are important for walking with little conscious control (automatic control networks). In contrast, an internal …

Stress And Exercise In Undergraduate Health Professions Students, Kristin R. Weismantel, Meghan G. Brickner, Leah N. Rosler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Background: Stress is prevalent among undergraduate students, especially students in health professions majors. Exercise as a health promoting behavior decreases stress. At the same time, increased stress may decrease exercise. This study described exercise and stress among undergraduate health professions students. More specifically this study described the intensity and duration of each exercise and the frequency of exercise during a typical week of the semester for students in health professions majors.

Theoretical framework: Pender’s Health Promotion Model guided this study.

Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive survey.

Methods: A convenience sample of 437 undergraduate students in a college of health professions (N =2,700) …