Kinesiology Commons^™

"You're Not Thriving, You're Just Trying To Survive The Environment That You're In:" Mental Performance Consultants' Narratives Of Emotional Abuse In Sport, Victoria Lynn Bradshaw

Doctoral Dissertations

Emotional abuse is defined as “a pattern of deliberate non-contact behaviors by a person with a critical relationship that has the potential to be harmful” (Stirling & Kerr, 2008, p. 178). Specifically, in the context of sport, emotional abuse is one of the more frequently occurring forms of abuse (Kavanagh, Brown & Jones, 2017; Kirby, Greaves & Hankvisky, 2000; Wilson & Kerr, 2021). Years after the termination of those emotionally abusive experiences, athletes are left to try and cope with and manage the short and long-term impacts that tend to develop as a result of repeated exposure to harmful behaviors …

Effects Of A Movement-Based Curriculum On The Motor And Cognitive Development Of Preschool-Aged Children, Aaron Wood

Doctoral Dissertations

Physical activity has been shown to be positively associated with improved motor skill and cognitive development in young children. Intervention designs are often constructed without focus on interrelatedness of the development of motor and cognitive self-regulatory skills. Purpose: To investigate the impact of a movement-based curriculum designed to integrate both motor skill and cognitive development in preschool children. Methods: Preschool-aged children [n=34; intervention group (n=28); control group (n=6)] participated in the study. Locomotor and object control motor skills were assessed via the Test of Gross Motor Development – 3rd Edition. Cognitive self-regulation (attention, working memory, and inhibition) was assessed via …

The Effects Or Practicing A Golf Putting Task In Virtual Reality, Zoya Amer, Logan T. Markwell, Andrew J. Strick, Jared M. Porter

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Psychological Determinants Of Physical Activity And The Prediction Of Physical Activity Levels In African American Men, Alvin L. Morton Iii

Doctoral Dissertations

African American (AA) men experience disproportionally higher rates of non-communicable, chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes, and renal failure) than White men. Physical activity (PA) is known to reduce the progression of CVD, type 2 diabetes, and renal failure. National statistics illustrate that AA men are less likely to get sufficient levels of PA to obtain health benefits. Although many factors (e.g., biomedical, socio-cultural) influence participation in PA, the psychological factors at the individual level are essential to beginning and maintaining activity. Therefore, understanding the psychological determinants of PA in AA men and their associations with meeting national guidelines …

“Sometimes The People Giving The Care Get A Little Overlooked”: Athletic Trainers’ Personal Use Of Psychosocial Strategies And Interactions With Mental Performance Consultants, Alexander Bianco

Doctoral Dissertations

In National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I (NCAA DI) athletic departments, athletic trainers (ATs) must navigate an array of stressors in the workplace, and are effectively performers themselves (Estock & Simon, 2018, Mazerolle et al., 2013). While ample research has been conducted on the stressors that ATs experience (see Oglesby et al., 2020) there has been limited work surrounding how ATs can best navigate this environment. Therefore, the purpose of the current investigation was to explore NCAA DI ATs’ perceptions of and experiences with the personal use of psychosocial strategies and sport psychology services to manage their stress, improve their …

The Effects Of Maturation On Acl Loading, Muscle Coordination, And Metabolic Cost In Adolescent Female Soccer Players, Lauren E. Schroeder

Doctoral Dissertations

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries remain a significant, season-ending injury in youth soccer, with young female athletes exhibiting higher incidence rates compared to young male athletes. ACL injury rates increase with older ages, with female soccer players 15 years or older being at an almost twofold increased rate of injury compared to young female soccer players. Several biomechanical and neuromuscular changes occur during the maturation process, becoming more prevalent in young females, that can place them at an increased risk for ACL injury. These biomechanical and neuromuscular changes can affect how efficient young females are when completing high-risk, dynamic tasks …

Musculoskeletal Modeling Analysis Of Knee Joint Loading During Uphill And Downhill Waling In Patients With Total Knee Replacement, Tanner A. Thorsen

Doctoral Dissertations

The purposes of these studies were to determine differences in total (TCF), medial (MCF) and lateral (LCF) tibiofemoral compartment compressive forces and related muscle forces between limbs (replaced, non-replaced, and control), and different slopes during uphill [0° (level), 5°, 10°], and downhill [0° (level), 5° 10°] using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Static optimization was used to determine muscle and compressive forces for 9 patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and 9 control participants during walking trials. Total , loading-response, and push-off TCF impulse were calculated. A 3×3 [Limb (replaced, non-replaced, control] × Slope (0°, 10°, 15°)] SPM[F] repeated measures ANOVA …

Efficacy Of A Cycling Intervention With Pedal Reaction Force Augmented Feedback On Reducing Inter-Limb Asymmetries In Patients With Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty, Erik T. Hummer

Doctoral Dissertations

Fifteen patients with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed cycling at two workates (80 W and 100 W) and two walking conditions (preferred and fast speeds). Ten of these patients of TKA also participated in a short-term cycling intervention paired with visual augmented feedback of vertical pedal reaction forces for six sessions over two-three weeks. These ten patients of TKA participated in a 2^nd post-training testing session. Study One compared the knee joint biomechanics for all fifteen participants during stationary cycling to ascertain if any biomechanical asymmetries may be present. The replaced limbs displayed significantly lower peak knee extension …

Lower Extremity Muscle Contributions To Acl Loading In Healthy And Acl-Reconstructed Females, Shelby Peel

Doctoral Dissertations

Females are 16 times greater to sustain a second ACL injury compared to their healthy female counterparts. Many of these females return to play their respective sport after an ACL-reconstruction (ACLR). However, little is known about the influence fatigue in sport has on lower extremity mechanics of ACLR females. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence muscular fatigue may have on lower extremity mechanics in healthy and ACLR females. It was hypothesized that 1) healthy control and ACLR females would demonstrate different hip, knee, and ankle mechanics, regardless of fatigue, 2) fatigue would influence hip, knee, and …

Examining The Physical Activity Levels Of Youth With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities During Physical Education And Recess, Vincenzo Nocera

Doctoral Dissertations

Introduction: It is currently believed that children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are less physically active than their peers. The school setting may offer a promising solution to allow children with and without IDD to engage in physical activity (PA). However, the current school-based PA levels of this population remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to compare the PA levels and related context of youth with and without IDD during the total school day, physical education, and recess. Methods: A total of 13 children (n = 3 with IDD) enrolled in first- and second grade participated …

Exploring The Effects Of Traditional And Expert-Derived Attentional Focus Cue Structures On Complex Skill Learning, Kaylee Woodard

Doctoral Dissertations

Instructions that direct attention externally have been shown to enhance motor performance. However, research on learning effects has produced mixed findings, particularly in skilled populations, and particularly when realistic instructional protocols have been used. Most studies have presented an overly simplistic view of attention, such that all-internal focus protocols are contrasted with all-external focus protocols. Expert performers, however, have reported adopting combined approaches, revealing the need for research to test more realistic instructions. The current project was a two-part study designed to investigate the effects of realistic focus instructions on performance and learning. Study 1 was an exploratory study of …

Strategies And Characteristics Of Young African American Women Who Maintain Physical Activity, Chloe Jones

Masters Theses

African American (AA) women have a disproportionately higher prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity compared to their gender and racial counterparts. Young AA women experience the largest increases in weight gain between 20-30 years of age, yet are underrepresented in current literature surrounding leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) promotion. Examining young AA women who successfully maintain LTPA participation may provide insight into their methods for doing so. The purpose of this study was to explore strategies used by active young AA women that support their LTPA maintenance, and identify various characteristics of these women.

A multimethod approach (qualitative and quantitative) was …

A Profile Of Physical Activity In The City Of Knoxville's Lonsdale Park, Carly Scot Eakin

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

A Profile Of Physical Activity In Knoxville Parks, Margaret R. Bailey

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Representation Of The Human Musculature In The Bronze Age Aegean, Emily R Brower

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Bronze Age sculptures range from abstract to realistic, but how accurate are the realistic sculptures? To answer this question, it is useful to compare three pieces of artwork: Prince of Lilies from Knossos, Kouros from Palaikastro, and the Boxer Rhyta from Ayia Triadha to a musculature replica. These pieces originate from the Bronze Age in the Aegean. What this comparison will tell us is how much the ancient peoples were studying the human body, along with the reasons as to why these sculptures were portrayed with such realistic characteristics. To accomplish this goal this paper takes the artifacts background into …

Effect Modification Of The Association Between Aerobic Physical Activity And Diabetes-Related Mortality By Race-Ethnicity: A Population-Based Prospective Study Using Nhanes Iii And 1999-2006 Nhanes, William Robert Boyer Ii

Doctoral Dissertations

Purpose: To examine potential effect modification by race-ethnicity of the relationship between physical activity (PA) and diabetes-related mortality risk using a sample of U.S. adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Methods: The sample (n=10,717) included adults (≥20 years) who attended the Mobile Examination Center (MEC). An age-standardized PA score (PAS) was calculated from the self-reported frequency and intensity of 12 leisure-time aerobic activities. The PA scores were then grouped into three categories: inactive (PAS = 0), insufficiently active (PAS >0 - Results: There was no interaction between PA and race-ethnicity (p=0.83). Compared to inactive …

Application Of The Actigraph Gt9x Imu For The Assessment Of Turning During Walking And Running, Robert Thomas Marcotte

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of the ActiGraph GT9X gyroscope and magnetometer for turn detection and quantifying turn degree during walking and running. METHODS: Participants (N=17) completed pivot trials, treadmill walking and running (3 to 6 mph) and different degrees of turns (i.e. 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°) during over-ground walking and running. Pivot and walking and running activities were completed for 1-minute and 6-minutes per trial, respectively. Turn frequency was constant (10 turns/minute) across all overground walking and running trials. ActiGraph GT9X devices were placed on the left and right hips, wrists, and …

Evaluating The Effects Of Wearable Technologies To Improve Physical Activity Levels For College Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Kelly Nicole Kraiss

Doctoral Dissertations

Regular physical activity can decrease the likelihood of being overweight or obese as well as other negative health outcomes. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are more likely to be obese, less likely to be physically active, and at greater risk for health conditions and disease. Thus, there is a need for interventions that aim to increase the physical activity levels of adults with I/DD. However, interventions and related research in this field are limited. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine two independent single-subject design interventions that incorporated the use of wearable technology, a Fitbit, in order …

Playground And Garden Physical Activity Levels In Young Children, Ashlyn Nicole Schwartz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in time spent in physical activity (PA), as assessed by the amount of time spent in PA, vector magnitude (counts/15 sec.), MET values, and energy expenditure (kcal/min), between two outdoor environments (natural playground and garden) in preschool children. Participants were twenty-five children (4.4±0.7 years) enrolled in a university laboratory preschool. PA was assessed using an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer that was worn on the right hip. Each child completed four randomly ordered conditions (30 min each), which included two bouts of unstructured PA on the natural playground and two bouts of …

Effects Of Synthetic Turf Systems With And Without A Shock Pad On Lower Extremity Biomechanics During A 90° Cutting Movement With Differing Approach Velocities, Thomas Kenneth Elvidge

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in lower extremity kinematics and kinetics on two different synthetic turf systems (turf only and turf with a shock pad) for two approach velocities (3.0 and 4.0 m/s) during a 90° cutting movement. Twelve recreational male American football and soccer players were recruited to perform five trials for each of the four conditions. A three-dimensional motion analysis system synchronized to a force platform was used to collect marker coordinate and ground reaction force (GRF) data respectively. A 2 x 2 (surface x approach velocity) ANOVA was used to analyze kinematic and …

Effects Of A Raised Surface On Lower Extremity Kinematics, Kinetics, And Muscle Activation During A Sidecut In Recreational Female Softball Players, Lauren Elizabeth Schroeder

Masters Theses

Noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common sports-related injury. “High-risk” dynamic movements, such as a sidecut, have been associated with increasing the risk of noncontact ACL injury. Certain biomechanical abnormalities, specifically at the hip and knee, and neuromuscular abnormalities, such as unbalanced quadriceps-to-hamstrings activation ratios and certain activation patterns prior to initial contact and after initial contact, have also been associated with an increased likelihood of noncontact ACL injuries occurring. Approximately 78% of all NCAA Division I softball game-day injuries are classified as noncontact where there is no direct contact to a player. Internal derangement of the knee …

The Impact Of Stability Ball Seating On Behavior And Academic Achievement Among Elementary School Students In Grades 1 Through 4., Sheila R. Borders

Doctoral Dissertations

This study was designed to answer three questions: 1) What is the impact of stability ball seating on the behavior of students in grades 1 through 4? 2) What is the impact of stability ball seating on the mathematics scores of students in grades 1 through 4? and 3) What is the impact of stability ball seating on the reading scores of students in grades 1 through 4? Research has shown that stability ball seating is linked to behavior and academic achievement among students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examines the …

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 …

Effects Of Synthetic Turf And Shockpads On Impact Attenuation Related Biomechanics During Drop Landing, Hang Qu

Masters Theses

Synthetic turf has been widely utilized in sports since 1964. Discrepancies, however, in injury incidence on synthetic turf and natural grass have been reported throughout studies. Adding a shock pad under synthetic turf carpet is claimed to aid in energy absorption and decrease impact loading. Although some studies have conducted materials tests and compared mechanical characteristics of synthetic turf with different shock pads, no studies have examined biomechanical characteristics of impact related human movements on an infilled synthetic turf system with different underlying shock pads. The purpose of this research was to investigate effects of an infilled synthetic turf with …

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 …

Static Frontal Plane Tibiofemoral Alignments And Their Effects On Knee Biomechanics During Level Walking And Stair Ascent Tasks, Hunter Jared Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can onset due to abnormal knee adduction moments (KAMs), which are related to frontal plane knee joint alignment. Gait modifications including toe-in (TI) and wider step widths have been proposed as individual intervention strategies, but have not been previously combined, to reduce abnormal frontal plane loading in healthy and osteoarthritic populations. Study One investigated clinical based measurements to predict radiographic frontal plane knee joint alignment, measured as the mechanical axis angle (MA). Study Two compared three different hip joint center estimation methods on MA predictions using three-dimensional motion capture. Study Three and …

An Epidemiological Study Of Ankle Injuries Among Football Players At A Division I University, Amy Elizabeth Estep

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Wheelchair Fatigue Reducer, Aaron Miller, Dennis Andre Norfleet

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Associations Among Perceived Motor Competence, Motor Competence, Physical Activity, And Health-Related Physical Fitness Of Children Ages 10-15 Years Old., Emily Marie Post

Masters Theses

Purpose: To examine the associations among perceived motor competence (PMC), motor competence (MC), physical activity, and health-related physical fitness during middle childhood and early adolescence. Method: Participants were 47, 10-15 year old youth. Each participant completed two visits in East Tennessee or northwest Ohio. During these visits, the participants completed the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT-2) Analysis Test for Motor Proficiency, Harter’s PMC questionnaire, and the FITNESSGRAM battery for health-related physical fitness. The Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer was used to measure physical activity. Results: There were significant associations among health-related physical fitness and both motor percentile (r_s = 0.44, p < 0.01) and PMC (r …