Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Caffeine Ingestion On The Hemostatic Response To Simulated Firefighting Activities, Sierra Wassell

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

The leading cause of death among firefighters is sudden cardiac event, and it is acknowledged that most ischemic events are due to an occlusive thrombus formation. In addition, due to the demanding job requirements and shift work, firefighters are commonly known to overuse caffeine as an ergogenic aid. The purposes of this study were to examine the potential effects of caffeine on the hemostatic response to simulated firefighting activity.

The Effect Of Oral Contraceptives On Caffeine Metabolism And Cycling Performance, Annette M. Lemanski

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

This project objectives were to determine the effects of oral contraceptives and menstrual cycle on the benefits of caffeine supplementation for cycling performance. Seventeen recreationally trained female cyclists completed four trials consisting of 3 kilometer time trials. Subjects ingested either caffeine or a placebo one hour prior to each trial. The magnitude of the ergogenic aid of caffeine was compared between oral contraceptive users and eumenorreheic females. In addition, the effect of caffeine was compared across different phases of the menstrual cycle, specifically the follicular and luteal phases.

Reliability Of Impedance Cardiography In The Measurement Of Cardiovascular Hemodynamics During Exercise., Daniel S. Valcicak

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

1. Overview of the Project

The project being presented investigated the reliability of a hemodynamic device. Subjects were asked to perform two running tests and two treadmill tests while wearing a device known as the PhysioFlow. The device is based off Ohm’s Law and runs a high frequency, low magnitude electric current through the individual’s thoracic region. The current is absorbed as the heart beats to determine the amount of blood the individual’s heart ejects per beat.

The present study investigated the hemodynamic differences across running and cycle exercise. To determine this, the subject ran/walked at two given intensities, during which …

Performance Impairment Following Sleep Restriction - Is Caffeine The Antidote?, Erin E. Horil

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

The purpose of this project was to test the hypothesis that caffeine supplementation can lessen the negative effects that sleep restriction (i.e. shortened sleep duration) has on next day performance. Recent work done in our lab showed that sleep restriction has a negative effect on 3-km cycling time trial performance. Thus, it is important to investigate potential ways to lessen the negative effects sleep restriction may have on performance, since it is commonly seen in athletes. In this study, participants completed a battery of performance testing and then a heavy exercise session. This was followed by either a full night …

Implementation Of A Recovery Fueling Station In A Division Ii Athletics Program: Athlete Perception And Participation, Amanda Field

Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE)

No abstract provided.

Upper Extremity Performance Changes In Division Iii Collegiate Swimmers Over A Competitive Season, Tyler Mansfield, Morgan Barnard, Liz Mayio

Student Symposium

Collegiate swimmers and coaches are always looking to improve athletic performances. Shoulder strength and shoulder flexibility are two factors that may correlate improved performance throughout a season. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in shoulder strength and ROM over the course of a collegiate season. Thirty-four collegiate swimmers (males =15, females =19, age =19.38 ± 1.26 years, height = 1.76 ± 0.098m, mass = 73.55 ± 12.66kg) were assessed during the pre-season and post-season in shoulder strength and ROM. Athletic performance was assessed and quantified by determining the amount of personal bests each athlete swam. Twenty-nine …

Impact Of Heart Rate Intensity On Shooting Accuracy During Games In Ncaa Division I Women Basketball Players, James Hutson, Courtney Elliott, Casey Pederson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Shooting accuracy in basketball is key to winning games. While there are various factors as to why a team either makes or misses their shots, the intensity of play is likely a contributing factor. A player who has played the majority of the game would likely have a higher, more intense heart rate (HR). Depending on the athlete, this could impact shooting accuracy. Examining the relationship between HR intensity and shooting accuracy has not been looked at in a real game setting before. Therefore, we set out to determine the impact heart rate intensity has on shooting accuracy in a …

The Relationship Between Objective And Subjective Markers Of Training Stress In Ncaa Division I Women Basketball Players, Casey Pederson, Courtney Elliott, James Hutson

Undergraduate Research Conference

An athlete’s training stress score (TSS) is an objective marker of overall training volume and can be determined by tracking total time spent at specific heart rate (HR) zones. Additionally, an athlete’s power factor (PF) or explosive strength is an important marker of performance and can be measured objectively with power testing equipment. While these measures of training stress and performance are important, a coach with limited resources may not have access to the equipment or expertise to measure these variables. On a subjective level, perceived recovery status (PRS) prior to practice and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during …

Comparison Of Heart Rate Intensity In Practice, Conditioning, And Games In Ncaa Division I Women Basketball Players, Courtney Elliott, Casey Pederson, James Hutson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Background: An athlete’s heart rate (HR) is an important variable in quantifying the intensity of exercise. Workouts that increase HR are an important stimulus for training adaptations and conditioning. At other times, workouts that do not overly stress the HR may be desired to allow for recovery. The principle of specificity emphasizes that athletes should train specific to the way they will need to perform in competition. Because of this, monitoring HR during training and competition can be a useful tool. While exercise intensity in endurance sports has been previously investigated, less is known regarding the HR response in team …

Effects Of Caffeine On High-Intensity Functional Training Performance, Melitza Ramirez, Jesse Stein, Katie Heinrich

Kansas State University Undergraduate Research Conference

Caffeine demonstrates an ergogenic effect on endurance exercise performance, however, its efficacy during high-intensity functional training (HIFT) is unknown. HIFT is an exercise program that incorporates a variety of multi-joint movements performed at a relatively high-intensity and designed to improve parameters of general physical fitness and performance. Our study aimed to determine the effects of caffeine on HIFT performance. Thirteen HIFT-trained men (age = 28.5±6.6 years, HIFT experience = 4.1±3.0 years, body weight= 84.3±9.9 kg) were randomized in a double-blind, crossover design. After consent, participants completed two HIFT sessions separated by a 7-day washout period, 60-minutes after consuming 5mg/kg of …

An Investigation Of Physical Activity At Boys And Girls Club, Jerica Garcia

Kansas State University Undergraduate Research Conference

National statistics and trends show an increase in childhood obesity, and lack of physical activity (PA) among children may contribute to these trends. The overall purpose of this study was to observe and collect data on the PA of children grades K-6 attending two local Boys and Girls Club (BCG) after school programs. Both sites were observed for one week at baseline. Physical activity data were collected from the children objectively via accelerometers. The researchers observing the sites logged setting characteristics (minutes of active recreation time offered) and BGC staff behaviors (PA encouragement or discouragement). Baseline results showed children at …

Comparing Strength Outcomes Of An 8 Week Hift Interventon Vs 8 Week Traditional Weight Training., Jason Sartor

Kansas State University Undergraduate Research Conference

COMPARING STRENGTH OUTCOMES OF AN 8 WEEK HIFT INTERVENTON VS 8 WEEK TRADITIONAL WEIGHT TRAINING.

Jason Sartor¹, Justin A. DeBlauw¹, Brittany S. Hollerbach¹ and Katie M. Heinrich¹

¹Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

High-intensity functional training (HIFT) temporally combines aerobic and resistance exercise at relative high intensity levels. Functional workouts include varied exercises that simulate movements of daily living to improve overall fitness. Traditional weight training (TWT) focuses on progressive sets and repetitions of resistance exercise performed both with free weights and machines. With comparison Data of these interventions’ individuals can obtain a better …

How The Foot Modulates Its Mechanics During Uphill And Downhill Walking, Jeffrey M. Patterson, Kota Z. Takahashi

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The foot's biomechanical role in walking on sloped surfaces is currently unclear. While previous biomechanics studies have examined the hip, knee, and ankle, the foot is oversimplified as a rigid-body segment. This oversimplification overshadows its complex structure and function. In this project, we use an innovative multi-segment foot model to explore how the foot adapts its mechanics to incline and decline walking. Preliminary results have revealed that the foot is capable of adapting its mechanical work profile to both incline and decline walking. Specifically, the foot can increase its positive work output (i.e., increased energy generation) during inclined walking to …

Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis In Response To Exercise And Cold Exposure, Camille Larson

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise triggers mitochondrial biogenesis, the generation of new mitochondria, by ATP depletion and subsequent activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. This leads to enhanced expression of PGC-1α, a positive regulator of respiration, mitochondrial biogenesis, and adaptive thermogenesis. Previous research from our lab has shown that exercise followed by cold recovery enhances the transcription of genes associated with mitochondrial growth and division, however the recovery period was necessary for this response. Perhaps exercising in a colder external environment would induce a greater thermoregulatory response and gradient between ambient skin and core temperature that may lead to altered mitochondrial …

The Effects Of Swimming Training On Arterial Stiffness, Muscular Strength And Cardiorespiratory Endurance In Postmenopausal Women With Stage 2 Hypertension, Steven Scott

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Objective:

Aging is associated with progressive decreases in arterial health and function as well as overall fitness. It is crucial to prevent or reduce the negative effects of aging on vasculature and fitness components by implementing appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as exercise training. We examined the effects of a swimming (SWM) regimen on arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV), blood pressure (BP), wave reflection (AIx), muscle strength and aerobic capacity in postmenopausal women with stage 2 hypertension.

Methods:

Using a parallel experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to either a SWM (n=52) or non-exercising control group (n=48) for 20 weeks. …

Influence Of Hip Abductor Fatigue On Acl Loading During Single-Leg Landing, Namwoong Kim

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

A musculoskeletal simulation study is necessary to identify the cause-effect relationship between hip abductor weakness and ACL loading during athletic events such as landing and jumping. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of weakness of hip abductors on lower extremity kinematics and ACL loading during single-leg landings. We hypothesized that hip abductor weakness would alter lower extremity joint kinematics. We also hypothesized that hip abductor weakness would increase ACL loading during single-leg landings. This study was a combination of a human experiment and a musculoskeletal modeling simulation. Ten healthy participants performed single-leg landing from a height …

Tumbling Into A Crisis: Use Of Corporate Apologia After Usa Gymnastics Falls Off The Balance Beam, Terry L. Rentner, Cory Young

International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference

In an open letter to U.S. gymnasts on Nov. 5, 2018, United States Olympic Committee (USOC) CEO Sarah Hirshland told its more than 150,000 members “You deserve better” as it launched the Nuclear Clause that would revoke USA Gymnastics (USAG) as a governing body for the sport at the Olympic level [1]. This announcement comes in the wake of USAG’s ongoing crisis that includes a failure to protect athletes from team doctor Larry Nassar, imprisoned for sexually abusing more than 350 female gymnasts; investigations tied to Michigan State University; and the turnover of several USAG CEO’s in just two years. …