Kinesiology Commons^™

Ncaa Di Student-Athletes’ Understanding Of And Attitudes Toward Mental Performance Services, Allison Rudisill

Honors Theses

Mental performance services are designed to assist student-athletes with psychological challenges affiliated with performance (McHenry et al., 2022). Currently, only 65 NCAA DI athletic institutions employ a psychological provider, with only 23.2% of those being mental performance consultants (MPCs; Jones et al., 2022). As student athletes are aware of the mental demand of sport (Bemiller & Wrisberg, 2011) and the NCAA begins to bring awareness to the importance of the mental well-being of the athlete (NCAA Transformational Committee, 2023), it is important to understand student athletes’ attitudes toward these services. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to learn about …

The Impact Of Differing Instability Devices On Postural Sway Parameters, Kacey Wallace

Honors Theses

Single-limb balance training is an integral part of preventing and rehabilitating lower extremity injuries. Practitioners use instability devices to provide a progressive overload to an individual during single-limb balance training sessions. Previous investigations have shown that when using instability devices, differences may or may not exist in postural sway parameters during use depending on the specific devices being assessed. Thus, this investigation sought to examine differences between a commonly used foam pad and a novel instability device (block) in measures of postural sway.

This experiment consisted of 22 healthy individuals with no history of lower extremity injury and neurological disorders. …

The Assessment Of Autonomic Function In Young Adults With An Elevated Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome, Ta'quoris Newsome

Master's Theses

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex medical condition defined by the co-occurrence of multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. Despite the well-defined profile of autonomic function in individuals with MetS, autonomic function in those with an elevated risk of developing MetS remains unclear. Our study aimed to shed light on the progression of cardiometabolic disease and its impact on autonomic function. To investigate, twenty participants, ten of whom were classified as having an elevated risk of developing MetS based on identification of risk factors using NCEP ATP III criteria, completed a two-visit study protocol. In the second visit, spontaneous cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity …

Predictive Ability Of A 3d Body Scanning Mobile Application For Metabolic Health Risk, Caleb Brandner

Master's Theses

There is an increasing prevalence of obesity within the US and rising rates of metabolic syndrome among those aged 20-39 concurrent with a decrease in the reception of primary care. Limitations to healthcare including access, cost, and availability, highlighting the need for simple, efficient, and accessible cardiometabolic health risk screening. Given the surge in smartphone ownership over the last decade, this study sought to determine the predictive ability of a mobile 3D-optical (3DO) body composition assessment application in determining metabolic health risk. A total of 62 participants (female: 36) underwent traditional anthropometric measurements, 3DO body scanning using a smartphone application, …

Effects Of Increased Shoe Collar Height And Limb Dominance On Landing Knee Biomechanics In Collegiate Volleyball Players, Lindsey Legg

Master's Theses

Athletic footwear with higher collar heights are worn to restrict ankle motion. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion has been associated with increased frontal plane knee motion. Volleyball players wear mid-cut shoes (MC) that have an increased collar height rising slightly superior to the talocrural joint and malleoli. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of MC and limb dominance on knee landing mechanics. It was hypothesized that participants would land with greater initial contact (IC) and peak frontal joint plane angles and moments and smaller IC and peak sagittal plane joint angles and moments at the knee in MC …

Validity Of The Loadsol Pro Insole For Pedal Reaction Force Measurements During Stationary Cycling, Anabelle Vallecillo Bustos

Honors Theses

Advancements in wearable technology have allowed clinicians, coaches, and researchers the ability to observe and quantify human movement outside the laboratory. Instrumented insoles are an example of novel technology that can be worn in the shoes and measure vertical reaction force wirelessly. The use of such insoles will prove to be beneficial for athletes as they train, patients as they progress through rehabilitation, and researchers as they experiment in their respective fields. The Loadsol Pro (Novel Inc., St Paul., MN, USA) has been shown to produce accurate and reliable measures of ground reaction forces (GRF) in various dynamic activities including …

Impact Of Training Volume On Female Athlete Triad Risk For Female Collegiate D1 Track And Field Athletes, Sarah Parnell

Honors Theses

iv ABSTRACT The Female Athlete Triad is the joint-presentation of three intertwined conditions (i.e., low energy availability (LEA), low bone mineral density (BMD), and menstrual dysfunction) that range in severity across affected individuals and have been known to affect the mental, emotional, and physical health of female athletes in a number of sports, especially those that are leanness-orientated and feature a high prevalence of disordered eating. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential relationship between increasing amounts of training volume and individual Triad risk factors in women’s collegiate track and field. Online Qualtrics surveys were administered to …

Relationships Between Vertical Ground Reaction Forces And Clubhead Velocity In Ncaa Division I Female Golfers, Jared Bush

Honors Theses

Golf biomechanics research has focused on clubhead velocity (CHV) for over a decade with the intent of discovering the physical attributes that contribute the most to CHV. Previous research has displayed the significant correlations of strength and power attributes to CHV, giving evidence for practitioners to integrate training to improve these attributes. Recent studies have referenced vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) and how they affect CHV. In this study, vGRFs are tested for their correlations to CHV in NCAA Division I female golfers. Clubs of various lengths were used to determine correlations between each club and vGRFs. Correlations between CHV …

The Validity Of The Vmaxpro During Countermovement Jump And Back Squat Performance, Hunter Haynes

Master's Theses

Background: Advances in technology have resulted in an increase in the utilization of velocity-based training in the strength and conditioning field while utilization of inertia measurement units (IMUs) shows promise. Methods: Recreationally trained participants (N=25, 28.3 ± 2.9 years) were recruited to determine the validity of the VmaxPro device for measuring performance variables in the back squat and countermovement jump (CMJ) against a gold standard force plate. Squat variables assessed included mean concentric velocity (MCV), mean concentric power (MCP), depth, and duration while CMJ variables assessed included MCV, MCP, depth, duration, and jump height. Squat variables were assessed across 3 …

Feasibility Of A Hip Flexion Feedback System For Controlling Exercise Intensity And Tibia Axial Peak Accelerations During Treadmill Walking, Nuno Oliveira, Chuang-Yuan Chiu

Faculty Publications

The ability to meet high exercise intensities is limited by the increased risk of injury in some clinical populations. Previous studies have linked large tibia peak positive accelerations resulting from running to increased risk of developing lower-extremity injury. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of using a hip flexion feedback system (HFFS) to meet and maintain different exercise intensities while maintaining low tibia axial accelerations. Ten healthy participants were tested on a HFFS test and an independent walking/running test to meet exercise intensities of 40% and 60% of heart rate reserve (HRR). During the HFFS test, …

Analyses Of Countermovement Jump Performance In Time And Frequency Domains, Zhanxin Sha, Zhaoxian Zhou, Boyi Dai

Faculty Publications

This study aimed to analyze counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance in time and frequency domains. Fortyfour Division I American football players participated in the study. Kinetic variables were collected from both dominant and non-dominant legs using two force plates. Normalized peak power, normalized net impulse, and normalized peak force significantly correlated with jump height (r =.960, r =.998, r =.725, respectively with p <.05). The mean frequency component was significantly correlated with CMJ performance (r =.355 with p <.05). The reliability of the frequency variables was higher than the time domain variables. Frequency domain variables showed weaker correlations with jump height compared with time domain variables. Frequency domain analysis provides frequency components, which represent the rate of energy transmission from the eccentric phase to the end of the push-off phase. Frequency component information may provide additional information for the analyses of CMJ performance for athletes.

Impact Of Hydration Status On Electromyography And Ratings Of Perceived Exertion During The Vertical Jump, Paul T. Donahue, Samuel J. Wilson, Charles C. Williams, Melinda Valliant, John C. Garner

Faculty Publications

Background: The vertical jumping task is commonly used to assess lower-body power output in athletic populations, in addition to being commonly used to during investigations of hydration and anaerobic performance. Changes in neuromuscular function during a hypohydrated state have been proposed as a potential mechanism to decreases in anaerobic performance.

Objectives: The primary purpose of this investigation was to examine the impact of hydration state on electromyography during the vertical jumping task.

Methods: Twenty recreationally trained males were tested in three hydration conditions (hypohydrated, euhydrated, and control). Testing included maximal voluntary contractions of the vastus lateralis, vastus …

Differences In Falls And Recovery From A Slip Based On An Individual's Lower Extremity Corrective Response, Samuel J. Wilson, Paul T. Donahue, Charles C. Williams, Christopher M. Hill, Jeffrey D. Simpson, Dwight E. Waddell, Jeremy P. Loenneke, Harish Chander, Chip Wade, John C. Garner

Faculty Publications

Background: Slips and falls account for high rates of injury and mortality in multiple populations. The corrective responses during the slip perturbation have been well documented. However, when a fall results from a slip, it is unclear which of these responses were inadequate.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in lower extremity corrective responses of the slip recovery response between individuals who fall and those who recover.

Methodology: Sixty-four participants completed this study (32 males & 32 females). Participant’s gait kinematics and kinetics were collected during normal gait (NG) and an unexpected slip …

Characterizing The Central Hemodynamic Response To Orthostasis: Influence Of Sex, Fitness And Body Composition, Benjamin Schreck

Honors Theses

Inter-individual responses to orthostasis (i.e., ability to maintain consciousness in the upright posture) exist. However, few studies provide insight into the potential mechanisms for this variation. The purpose of this thesis project was to explore individual differences (i.e., sex, fitness, and body composition) on the central hemodynamic response to a modified head-up tilt table test (HUT). Fourteen volunteers with an average age of 22±1 years and an average body mass index (BMI) of 8±1 kg/m² underwent assessments of pulse wave analysis, heart rate variability, and perfusion determination via near-infrared spectroscopy over the gastrocnemius muscle while supine, followed by a …

The Acute Effects Of Artificially-Sweetened Beverages On Cardiovascular Health, Adria Mulligan

Honors Theses

Consuming artificially-sweetened beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages is becoming increasingly popular among those who want to lose weight, have medical conditions that prohibit intake of sugar, or want to improve overall health. However, little research has been conducted on the repercussions of the intake of these diet drinks, specifically on how they affect the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of artificially-sweetened beverages on cardiovascular health. Eight participants with no pre-existing heart conditions underwent two separate appointments, one where they consumed a 12 oz. water and one where they consumed a 12 oz. …

The Correlation Between Physical Activity And Grade Point Average, Asia Mccoy

Honors Theses

The correlation between grade point average (GPA) and physical activity has typically been researched in adolescents, but not a lot of research has focused on traditional college students. Previous research in adolescents has shown mixed outcomes, but there is still evidence that a positive correlation exists between physical activity and GPA. It is also believed that adolescents who are physically active tend to have better academic outcomes than their non-active counterparts as they mature. The primary purpose of our study was to examine the correlation between GPA and physical activity in students attending the College of Education and Human Sciences …

Too Much Workplace Sitting: A Brief Historical Perspective, Raymond Jones, Daniel P. Credeur, Stephanie M. Mccoy

Faculty Publications

Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, especially those of cardiovascular and metabolic origins. Prolonged sitting is one of the most common sedentary behaviors among adults. Individuals sit for hours every day for several reasons, including work and or physical limitations. Historical accounts regarding the negative health effects of prolonged sitting began with early epidemiological studies, which sparked a breakout of research examining this behavior in the workplace setting. Understanding the risks associated with prolonged workplace sitting is important when considering workplace interventions, such as sit-stand workstations. These interventions appear to be beneficial in reducing …

Genetic And Psychological Factors Interact To Predict Physical Impairment Phenotypes Following Exercise-Induced Shoulder Injury, Paul A. Borsa, Jeffrey J. Parr, Margaret R. Wallace, Samuel S. Wu, Yunfeng Dai, Roger B. Fillingim, Steven Z. George

Faculty Publications

Background: We investigated interactions between genetic and psychological factors in predicting shoulder impairment phenotypes. We hypothesized that pro-inflammatory genes would display stronger relationships compared with pain-related genes when combined with psychological factors for predicting phenotypic changes.
Subjects and methods: Altogether, 190 participants completed a 5-day experimental protocol. An experimental shoulder injury model was used to induce physical impairment, and a priori selected genetic (pain-related, pro-inflammatory) and psychological (anxiety, depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, kinesiophobia) factors were included as predictors of interest. Impairment phenotypes were injury-induced deficits in range of motion (ROM) and strength. After controlling for age, sex, …

Muscle Adaptations To High-Load Training And Very Low-Load Training With And Without Blood Flow Restriction, Matthew B. Jessee, Samuel L. Buckner, J. Grant Mouser, Kevin T. Mattocks, Scott J. Dankel, Takashi Abe, Zachary W. Bell, John P. Bentley, Jeremy P. Loenneke

Faculty Publications

An inability to lift loads great enough to disrupt muscular blood flow may impair the ability to fatigue muscles, compromising the hypertrophic response. It is unknown what level of blood flow restriction (BFR) pressure, if any, is necessary to reach failure at very low-loads [i.e., 15% one-repetition maximum (1RM)]. The purpose of this study was to investigate muscular adaptations following resistance training with a very low-load alone (15/0), with moderate BFR (15/40), or with high BFR (15/80), and compare them to traditional high-load (70/0) resistance training. Using a within/between subject design, healthy young participants (n = 40) performed four …

The Influence Of The Educational Environment On College Student Activity Behaviors, Helen M. Ziegler

Dissertations

Healthy Campus 2020, an initiative that provides a framework to support campuses in improving the health of their students, staff, and faculty, recognizes physical activity as one of the top eleven priorities for positively influencing health risk behaviors in college populations (American College Health Association, 2012). However, there is not much research to support the best way to influence physical activity behaviors and what types of programs and facilities can provide the greatest impact. The purpose of this study was to investigate which components or programs within the higher education environment have the greatest influence on college students’ intention to …

Impact Of Prolonged Sitting On Central Hemodynamics: Role Of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy, Anna Kayleigh Downey

Master's Theses

Prolonged sitting (3-6 hours) negatively impacts peripheral vascular health. Whether sitting similarly impacts central cardiovascular hemodynamics and vascular stiffness is unknown. Purpose: Determine if prolonged sitting increases central blood pressure, aortic pulse wave reflection and vascular stiffness. Methods: In 10 subjects (Age=22±2 yrs, BMI=28±4kg/m², 3 females), brachial artery pulse wave analysis was performed before (baseline-BL), during, and after 3 hours of sitting. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was examined before and after sitting using carotid applanation tonometry coupled with oscillometry performed on left upper-thigh. For mechanistic insight, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) was applied during sitting (i.e., 3, 120 …

Head Impact Biomechanics Of Collegiate Football Players, Samantha Eshleman

Honors Theses

This research study focused on the descriptive head impact biomechanics of collegiate American football players. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were statistical differences in the frequency, peak linear acceleration, and peak rotational acceleration between player position and impact location on the helmet during practice sessions. There were 31 players from the University of Southern Mississippi’s Division I football team that participated in the study. Participants were divided into four groups based on position: defensive skill, defensive line, offensive skill, and offensive line. The Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System was incorporated with the Sideline Response System …

Effect Of American Football Helmet Chin Strap Placement On Measures Of Blunt Impact, Terrie Lane Jackson

Honors Theses

Approximately 1.8 to 3.6 million concussions occur annually across all sports.3 Although concussion is prevalent and is a growing concern, the mechanism behind this brain injury is still vaguely understood. The purpose of this research was to determine if chinstrap attachment location effects standard measures of helmet performance associated with concussion. To test this, three Schutt F7 American Football Helmets were impacted at the front, side, and rear locations under two conditions (high and low chinstrap attachment). Each helmet was fitted to an anthropometric test device outfitted with a 3-2-2-2 accelerometer and impacted by a steel impactor head affixed to …

Reliability Of Pulse Waveform Separation Analysis Responses To An Orthostatic Challenge, Lee Stoner, Keeron Stone, Erik D. Hanson, James Faulkner, Simon Fryer, Daniel Credeur

Faculty Publications

Cardiovascular autonomic nervous system function can be assessed using an orthostatic challenge to induce arterial wave reflection. While arterial reflection is typically estimated using a central augmentation index, a superior estimation can be obtained using pulse wave separation analysis to estimate the aortic backward pressure wave (Pb). However, to be of value in a clinical or research setting, an assessment tool must be precise (reliable). Therefore, this study sought to determine the measurement precision of Pb responses to a modified tilt-table test. Twenty healthy adults (26.4 year (SD 5.2), 24.7kg/m² (SD 3.8), 55% female) were tested in a fasted …

An Examination Of The Influence Of Social Physique Anxiety On Effort And Exercise Participation In College Students, Trellony M. Irwin

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an individual’s perception of others influenced exercise participation and effort in women and men participants involved in exercise classes in a campus recreation facility. The study consists of a survey that utilizes the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, the Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale, and demographic information. Results revealed that participants’ social physique anxiety accounted for roughly 30% of the variance in self-reported physical activity. However, when it came to participant effort during the group exercise classes, there was only roughly 2% variance between social physique anxiety and RPE. Further, the …

The Effect Of Normal Helmet Degradation In Division I Football Players Over The Period Of One Half Of A Competitive Season, Matthew Mcmullan

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the effect of normal helmet use by athletes from a Division I football team over the period of the first half of a competitive season upon the impact performance characteristics as measured by peak g values obtained through the application of the NOCSAE drop impact testing protocol. The goal of this research is to determine if one half of a season is enough time exposure to result in a significant decrease in a helmet’s performance quality. This study tracks changes in performance in overall function, as well as the function of each …

The Effects Of Including Physical Activity In Classrooms With Children With Language Disorders, Shelby E. Auer

Honors Theses

As obesity becomes a rising concern in the United States and the importance of high test scores continues to add stress to students, physical activity opportunities are beginning to become less frequent in schools. The Center for Disease Control reports a total of 12.7 million children were classified as obese from 2011 to 2012 (CDC, 2015). While many researchers have also acknowledged this trend, the majority of studies focus on the correlation of physical activity in the classroom with increases in fitness and cognitive functioning levels among average population students, much like the research done by Webster, Russ, Vazou, Goh, …

Effect Of Physical Activity On Quality Of Life For College Students: A Comparative Gender Study, Sarah J. Boozer

Honors Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity levels in college students and health related quality of life scores. Additional analysis was used to determine whether more of a relationship exists between female or male students’ in terms of activity versus quality of life.

Methods

Students for this study were gathered through their involvement in kinesiology based organizations on campus. Two surveys were utilized, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Health Related Quality of Life survey. Students were also asked to record their gender, which allowed for the second analysis. After scoring the …

Influence Of Compression Socks On Unilateral Balance In Females, Alex E. Carlson

Honors Theses

The application of compression garments for various purposes has become popular in recent years. Research regarding the effectiveness of these garments has shown an increase in variables such as increased blood flow, decreased post-exercise soreness, and increased joint position awareness. However, little research is available concerning their possible use to increase joint stability. This research examined the efficacy of graduated compression stockings (GCS) to increase proprioceptive feedback from the ankle joint. It was hypothesized that continuous stimulation of sensory receptors in the ankle region by use of GCS would improve an individual’s static unilateral balance. Seventeen females (age: 20 +/- …

Reliability Of Pulse Waveform Separation Analysis: Effects Of Posture And Fasting, Lee Stoner, Daniel Credeur, Simon Fryer, James Faulkner, Danielle Lambrick, Bathany Barone Gibbs

Faculty Publications

Objective: Oscillometric pulse wave analysis devices enable, with relative simplicity and objectivity, the measurement of central hemodynamic parameters. The important parameters are central blood pressures and indices of arterial wave reflection, including wave separation analysis (backward pressure component P_b and reflection magnitude). This study sought to determine whether the measurement precision (between-day reliability) of P_b and reflection magnitude: exceeds the criterion for acceptable reliability; and is affected by posture (supine, seated) and fasting state.

Methods: Twenty healthy adults (50% female, 27.9 years, 24.2 kg/m²) were tested on six different mornings: 3 days fasted, 3 …