Life Sciences Commons^™

Kinematic Variations Between Successful And Unsuccessful Dynamic Rock Climbing Movements, Max R. Jarvis

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Rock climbing as a sport and leisure activity has grown exponentially in popularity in recent years. Claims of best technique for rock climbing have been made in guide books, but are unsubstantiated. Specific upper body characteristics, determinants of climbing skill, and injury prevalence have been evaluated, but research examining climbing-specific movements has remained largely unexamined. The purpose of this study was to determine the angular kinematics and center of mass (COM) characteristics of the two-handed dynamic climbing maneuver (dyno). Participants received three attempts to complete a dyno on a 15° overhanging bouldering wall (EPIC Adventures) that were recorded via camcorder …

Visual Tracking Speed And Soccer Performance Metrics, Julia Paige Phillips

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Visual training has previously been shown to correlate to sport specific level of training and sport specific performance measures in controlled conditions. However, it remains unclear if these relationships exist between visual tracking thresholds and in competition decision making metrics over the duration of a soccer season. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual tracking speed (VTS) baseline scores and soccer-specific performance measures. In total, 19 NCAA Division I soccer players were tested before the 2021 spring soccer season, after exclusionary criteria only 13 were utilized for analysis. VTS was measured from 1-core session …

Predictability Of Vo2max From Three Commercially Available Devices, Luke Daniel Mccormick

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The Polar V800TM, A300TM, and Garmin Forerunner 235TM predict VO2max from a submaximal effort. Purpose: To examine the predictability of VO2max from two heart rate monitors (Device A and V) and a global positioning system (GPS) watch compared to measured VO2max. Methods: Forty participants, 22 males and 18 females ages 18 to 55, came to the Running Science Laboratory at Eastern Michigan University. During visit 1, participants completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) to determine VO2max. At visit 2, each device’s protocol was followed to estimate VO2max. Pearson correlations, repeated measures ANOVA, and a paired samples t-test were utilized …

The Relationship Between Rapid Weight Loss And Physical Performance In Combat Sports, Sean P. Cavey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between rapid weight loss and physical performance in combat sports athletes. The inclusion criteria were rapid weight loss and physical performance effects among combat sports researched in the last 20 years. Phrases, as well as keywords, were searched using multiple databases. The keywords included mixed martial arts (MMA), judo, wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, studies that looked at multiple disciplines at once, and unspecified disciplines. Results of the literature review indicate that there are negative effects on performance due to rapid weight loss and dehydration in combat sports. Appendix …

The Effect Of Backpack Load On Trunk Kinematics Of Imitated Pathological Gait: A Case Study, Kara Kracher

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Background: It is well documented that loaded backpacks affect the biomechanics of gait in both children and adults. Minimal information is available with regard to the effects of backpacks on the biomechanics of gait in individuals with clinical gait abnormalities, such as those seen in cerebral palsy. Healthy, non-clinical populations can be taught how to ‘imitate’ typical gait abnormalities in order to study various experimental interventions without enlisting clinical patients. The objective of this study was to determine the acute effect of backpack load on kinematics of the trunk during typical and imitated pathological gait. Methods: COVID 19 restrictions precluded …

Influence Of Body Composition, Velocity Profiles, And Sex-Related Differences On Army Combat Fitness Test Performance, David Boffey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) will become the United States Army's mandatory physical fitness test in March of 2022. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between ACFT performance and both body composition and velocity profiles, and to determine sex differences for these variables. Data was collected in November 2020 (Fall) and March 2021 (Spring) from male (n = 55) and female (n = 17) Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. Body composition was assessed with a bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) device, and cadets completed a squat jump (SJ) force-velocity profile (FVP) and a hex …

Comparison Of The Times To Exhaustion, Physiological, Perceptual, And Neuromusuclar Responses During Constant Heart Rate, Constant Vo2, And Constant Power Exercise, Pasquale Jiovanni Succi

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The purposes of this study were to: 1) Determine if there are differences in the sustainability of exercise when anchored at critical heart rate (CHR), the VO₂ associated with CHR (VO₂CHR), or the power output associated with CHR (PCHR); 2) examine the patterns of responses in power output, metabolic (heart rate [HR], VO₂, respiration rate [RR]), neuromuscular (electromyographic [EMG] amplitude [AMP], mean power frequency [MPF], mechanomyographic [MMG] AMP and MPF, perceptual (rating of perceived exertion [RPE]), and muscle oxygenation responses (%SmO₂) during exercise anchored by HR, VO₂, and power output; and …

Sleep And Athletic Performance Of Formula 1 Race Car Drivers During The 2019 Season, Alexander Pollack

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Sufficient, good quality sleep is associated with better performance in many sports; however, this relationship has not been examined among motorsport athletes. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between sleep quality (SQ), sleep duration (SD), and performance metrics among professional racecar drivers. During the 2019 season, five Formula 1 drivers reported SQ, SD, and hours of time change for each race. Performance data (finishing position and points earned) were obtained from a public website. Relationships between sleep variables and driving performance were examined using correlations. Correlations between SQ and driving performance were not significant. SD and …

Quantification Of In-Play Competition Demands Of Collegiate American Football Players Using Global Positioning Systems, Alex Brownell

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

There is limited information describing the competition demands of American football. A greater understanding of competition demands will allow strength and conditioning practitioners to create appropriate training programs to enhance athlete readiness and performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the competition demands of collegiate American football players using global positioning systems (GPS), specifically comparing the in-play GPS versus out-of-play GPS outcomes. Twenty-two American football athletes (Age: 20.8 ± 0.9 yr, Height: 190.2 ± 4.7 cm, Body mass: 113.4 ± 22.3 kg) were monitored during 12 regular season competitions over 13 weeks. Athletes were divided into specific …

The Effects Of A Remote Based Exercise Intervention On Psychosocial Factors In Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Juan Mayo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

AIM: The aim for this study was to identify the effects of physical activity (PA) on the psychosocial factors (PA self-efficacy, enjoyment of PA, perceived stress, and depression) amongst young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through the use of a 12-week remotely prescribed exercise program. METHODSs: This quasi-experimental study consisted of a 12-week remote-based exercise intervention (and a no-exercise control group) for young adults (18 – 35 years) with ASD. Participants were recruited through the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), an organization that provides resources to individuals with ASD and their families. The exercise program occurred twice …

Grit And Mindset - Unrelated To Performance In A Motor Learning Task, Jacob Smith

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Objective Research has shown grit and mindset can be improved, but no known research has investigated the effect of learning a new skill on grit and growth mindset. While grit and mindset seem to predict success in education and success, it is also not clear if initial grit or mindset have an effect on motor skill acquisition. The purposes of this research are to investigate if grit and growth mindset are predictors of learning a new skill and if learning a new skill leads to improvement in grit and growth mindset. Methods 14 students enrolled in a motor learning course …

Effects Of A Dual-Task Paradigm On Tandem Gait Performance, Courtney Angela Perry

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In concussion management, a variety of cognitive and motor control tests, like the tandem gait, have been used for assessing the presence of a concussion injury at the sideline and through recovery. More recently, research suggests that introducing a secondary cognitive retention task during tandem gait (i.e., dual task) may provide a better assessment of concussion. The purpose of this study was to determine if a tandem gait test paired with a 6-digit retention is a valid and reliable tool. Participants completed three trials of both the single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) tandem gait tests, and their average (MEAN) and …

Wingate Muscular Power Test Reference Values For Active Healthy Adults Ages 19-29: Normative Data And Differences Between Sex, Levi Basist

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The Wingate Muscular Power Test (WMPT) has existed for several decades and to this day is considered the gold standard for evaluating an individual’s muscular power. However, the utility of this test is predicated on having accurate and relevant normative data with which to compare individual results. At present, the existing literature on this subject is either several decades old and/or inclusive of only specific subject groups (i.e. men only or sport-specific athletes). This study presents WMPT normative values for active healthy adults ages 19-29, separated by sex. The sample consisted of 330 active healthy volunteers (186 men and 144 …

Improvements In Timing Variables For The Timed Up And Go And Its Subphases Following A Progressive Resistance Training Program, Shelby Kasch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of progressive resistance training (PRT), with the inclusion of balance and stretching exercises, on the timed up and go (TUG) task. Specifically, we investigated the TUG in regard to changes in timing variables for the entire movement and the subphases, in association with muscular strength, ambulation, fatigue, and perceived disability in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS).
Methods: Fifteen PwMS volunteered twice weekly for a twelve-week PRT exercise training program. The participants underwent an assessment at baseline (strength assessments using a Biodex dynamometer and one repetition max (1RM); the TUG and its subphases using Qualysis Track …

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 …

The Relationship Between Emotion Regulation And Health Status In Southeast Rural Firefighters, Catherine G. Gallagher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Firefighters are continuously interacting within high-stress and high physical demanding tasks. Minimal research investigates the influence of emotion regulation on health status among firefighters. PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between emotion regulation constructs and health status fitness metrics in a sample of career firefighters from southeast Georgia. METHODS: Forty-four career firefighters from southeast rural Georgia participated in a yearly fitness assessment. Body composition and fitness variables were collected. Emotion regulation was examined using the 36-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Survey. Inferential analysis including a Kruskal Wallis test was used to reveal differences between variables in health status (i.e., Perceived Health, …

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 …

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 …

A Comparison Of The Actual And Recommended Diving Profiles Of Dominican Republic Diver Fishermen, Kasey Mallon Andrews

WWU Graduate School Collection

Decompression stops upon ascent of a dive help to decrease the likelihood of developing decompression sickness in divers. The purpose of this study was to compare the actual versus the recommended dive profiles of compressor fishermen in the Dominican Republic to explore the occupational risk associated with decompression sickness that these fishermen endure. For this study, 10 male diver fishermen from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic self-reported their diving profiles including the dive depth, the time spent at that specific depth, the duration of ascent, and the surface interval between repeat dives, for each dive conducted in a single workday. The …

Exploring Social Physique Anxiety, Ethnic Identity, And Gender Identity In Exercisers, Kelly M. Zwicker

WWU Graduate School Collection

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships and predictability of ethnic identity, race/ethnicity, and gender identity of social physique anxiety (SPA) in exercisers. Random stratified sampling of two popular exercise chains in the U.S. and snowball sampling resulted in 1,765 regular exerciser participants, including nine different races/ethnicities and eight gender identities. There was a small, negative correlation between SPA and total ethnic identity for the entire sample (r_s = -.063, p= .008). For White/European American exercisers, there was a small, negative correlation (r_s = -.093, p = .001), and for Black/African American …

Qualitative Analysis Of The Career Transition Experiences Of Intercollegiate Athletes With High Athletic Identity: A Comparison Of Athletes With High Or Low Religiosity, Zachary Willis

WWU Graduate School Collection

There is some evidence that athletes with high athletic identity experience psychological difficulties with organizing their life following competitive athletic retirement (Erpič et al., 2004). The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand the transition experiences of intercollegiate athletes with above average athletic identity and to also compare transition experiences between athletes with high religious faith (HRF) and low religious faith (LRF). Participants included 72 former intercollegiate athletes (69.4% female; M_age = 22.6 years; 84.7% White), who completed online surveys of athletic identity and religious faith, as well as open-ended questions about athletic transition. Inductive thematic analysis …

Exploration Of Dancers' Post-Injury Psychological Experiences, MaríSa Kelly Rose Fernandez

WWU Graduate School Collection

Approximately 95% of dancers suffer from musculoskeletal pain, and rates of musculoskeletal injury in professional dancers range between 20% to 84% (Hincapié et al., 2008). In addition to the mechanical disturbances that injuries have on physical functioning, athletic injuries often trigger psychological and emotional distress (Anderson et al., 2004; Wiese-Bjornstal et al., 1998). Sport athletes have reported emotions including frustration, depression, fear, and anger post-injury, among other psychological responses (Johnston & Carroll, 1998; Macchi & Crossman, 1996; Tracey, 2003). Dancers, like sport athletes, face inherent risks for injury due to the artistry and physicality of dancing (Hincapié et al., 2008), …

Training Patterns Of Tactical Athletes, Emily Elliott

WWU Graduate School Collection

An online survey was administered to determine what physical fitness training tactical athletes are currently participating in and determine training patterns among the tactical athlete community. One hundred two participants from law enforcement (n = 35), firefighting (n = 11), and military (n =54) were all accepted for this study. The first portion of the survey determined the occupational requirements for physical fitness training. The second portion of the survey determined the frequency, type, and duration of participants’ training within the last six months. This study demonstrated a heavy focus on cardiorespiratory, muscular strength, and muscular endurance in tactical athletes. …

The Effect Of Emg Biofeedback Training On Muscle Activation In An Impingement Population, Eliot Mackay

WWU Graduate School Collection

Background: The shoulder is injury prone and subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is one of the most diagnosed causes of pain in the region.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activity between healthy and SAIS shoulders on the same subject and to understand the effectiveness of EMG biofeedback (EBFB) on bilateral overhead movements.

Design: Ten participants (7 male), that tested positive for 2/3 SAIS clinical tests, volunteered for the study. Bilateral muscle activity was measured via electrodes on the Upper Trapezius (UT), Lower Trapezius (LT), Serratus Anterior (SA), and Lumbar Paraspinals (LP). Kinematic testing involved 3 continuous …

Changes In Health Behaviors During A Global Pandemic, Olivia Talamo

Senior Honors Projects

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE-2 receptors. COVID-19 was first discovered in Wuhan, China in December of 2019 (CDC). By March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. A COVID-19 infection can cause severe health consequences, including death. COVID-19 affects individuals of all ages. Individuals who are 60 years of age or older, and individuals with underlying medical conditions are considered vulnerable populations for severe consequences from COVID-19 infection (WHO). COVID-19 primarily spreads through physical contact. Respiratory droplets are produced from the nose and mouth when speaking, …

Aortic Pressure And Heart Rate In The Lobster Homarus Americanus Are Modulated By Mechanical Feedback And Neuropeptides, Grace Marie Hambelton

Honors Projects

Baroreceptors are stretch receptors located in the aorta of mammals; in response to increased afterload, they elicit a decrease in heart rate, creating a negative feedback loop that lowers blood pressure. Although lobsters (Homarus americanus) do not have baroreceptors like mammals, closely related land crabs have been shown to have baroreceptor-like responses. Heart contraction is also regulated by the Frank-Starling response, where increasing stretch or preload increases the contractile force of the heart. In addition to these types of biomechanical modulations, lobsters use a central pattern generator, the cardiac ganglion, to maintain synchronicity of the heartbeat. The heart …

Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Student-Athletes: A Descriptive Study Of Practitioners And Their Perspectives, William C. Way Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Efforts are being made to promote mental health awareness and destigmatize help-seeking behavior among student-athletes (e.g., Kern et al., 2017). The availability and visibility of practitioners with specialized training in sport psychology can facilitate these efforts (e.g., Flowers, 2007; Carr, 2007; McDuff et al., 2005). However, some student-athletes have observed that the clinical sport psychology (CSP) practitioners who are available to them are being stretched thin (Way et al., 2020). In the context of collegiate mental health more broadly, many campus counseling centers are struggling to meet the demand for clinical services (e.g., Kafka, 2019). Research on the experiences and …

Flexibility: The Forgotten Component Of Fitness: Eccentric Exercise Vs. Static Stretching To Improve Flexibility, Zach Cox

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research is to assess the effects of eccentric exercise as well as static stretching on flexibility following a six-week training intervention. It also compared the effects to those of a static stretching program. The hypothesis is that eccentric training will show larger enhancements in flexibility in sagittal plane movements of the hips and knees in comparison to a static stretching program. Training sessions were done three days per week and had a 24-hour rest period minimum between them. The exercises for the eccentric group were as follows: standing hip extension, standing split, straight leg lowering, and …

The Comparison Of Treadmill And Overground Running With The Use Of Inertial Measurement Units (Imus), Griffin R. Moon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Treadmill running has historically been utilized in the laboratory to mimic outdoor running. Recent developments in portable technology, such as Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) allow researchers to assess runners in their natural environment. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of the study was to compare peak tibial acceleration, stance time, stride frequency, and rearfoot eversion velocity between treadmill and overground running (asphalt, track, and grass). The secondary purpose was to test the reliability of IMU-based estimations of maximum rearfoot eversion velocity during treadmill running. METHODS: Twenty subjects (Age: 22.1 ± 2.0 yrs, Mass: 70.8 ± 11.9 kg, Height: 174.5 ± 10.0 cm, …

Tibial Strains And Tray-Bone Micromotions After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Computational Studies Evaluating The Tibial Fixation, Huizhou Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cemented and cementless fixation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been successfully used for decades. As the number of younger and more active patients treated with TKA continues to increase, long-term implant survivorship is of increasing importance. One of the most common complications and hence the reason for revision is mechanical loosening (23.1% of all revised TKA). The loosening mechanisms have been proposed for different fixation types. For cemented fixation, bone remodeling after surgery is regulated by the changes in strain energy density (SED). The recruitment of osteoclasts and osteoblasts is controlled by SED-related signals. Insufficient stimuli can promote bone …