Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Acute Effects Of Multi-Joint Eccentric Exercise On Lower Extremity Muscle Activation Measured During Land And Water Walking, Brayden Worley

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Although prior literature has established the preliminary clinical benefits of aquatic exercise across various clinical populations, there is a need to explore the potential for including aquatic-based movement as a key component of a multi-modal approach toward improving mobility and reducing fall risk. Eccentric exercise may complement aquatic exercise given that movements performed in water immersion tend to be low impact. Eccentric exercise may also improve the passive stiffness of lower extremity extensors, which gives an additional rationale for the potential of eccentric exercise to reduce fall risk when combined with aquatic exercise. There may also be an acute response …

A Process Evaluation Of Utah’S Food Security Council, Palak Gupta, Heidi Leblanc

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah’s Food Security Council (FSC) brings together diverse stakeholders to address food security across the state. As FSC concluded its inaugural year of work, a process evaluation assessed its progress. Findings will inform FSC’s future strategic improvements, partnerships, and community outreach activities.

A National Perspective Of Mental Health Awareness Among Agricultural Workers, Anna Gilliam, Ethan Gilliam

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The knowledge and perceptions of mental health resources for agricultural workers were explored at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) National Conference. Data were gathered via a voluntary survey conducted at the event. With 137 completed surveys, the study revealed that the participants desired more information regarding agricultural mental health resources and revealed their preferences for receiving this information. These findings will lead USU Extension to create impactful educational resources to better address mental health awareness and education needs in agricultural workers.

Benefits Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (Act) For Chronic Pain, Maria Kleinstaeuber, Ashley Yaugher, Emily Roundy, Michael Levin

All Current Publications

Chronic pain is a common experience for people and can be difficult to manage. However, there are many evidence-based and effective psychological treatments for chronic pain to help people improve their lives. One of these is acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT. ACT teaches how to accept pain and live a life full of meaning and quality, with pain. It helps individuals increase their quality of life through mindfulness-based methods, experiential processing, and a focus on values, goals, and actions. ACT has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving pain management and personal well-being. Consult the resources …

So, You're Going On A Trail Ride, Gabriela Murza, Katelyn Barsnick, Karl Hoopes

All Current Publications

Horse trail rides provide an opportunity for individuals to partner with horses to experience the natural world in a new way. However, we should consider the physical demands it places on both riders and horses. Adequate preparation, including selecting appropriate clothing, employing safe riding practices, and engaging in pre-ride stretches to enhance rider fitness, allows participants to fully appreciate the experience.

Hearing Loss And Cognitive Decline In The Aging Population: Emerging Perspectives In Audiology, Naveen K. Nagaraj

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Faculty Publications

In this perspective article, the author explores the connections between hearing loss, central auditory processing, and cognitive decline, offering insights into the complex dynamics at play. Drawing upon a range of studies, the relationship between age-related central auditory processing disorders and Alzheimer’s disease is discussed, with the aim of enhancing our understanding of these interconnected conditions. Highlighting the evolving significance of audiologists in the dual management of cognitive health and hearing impairments, the author focuses on their role in identifying early signs of cognitive impairment and evaluates various cognitive screening tools used in this context. The discussion extends to adaptations …

Magnetic Three-Dimensional Graphene: A Superior Absorbent For Selective And Sensitive Determination Of Nitrite In Water Samples By Ion-Pair Based-Surfactant-Assisted Solid-Phase Extraction Combined With Spectrophotometry, Mina Vasheghani Farahani, Sajad Karami, Hassan Sereshti, Shokouh Mahpishanian, Somayeh Koupaei Malek, Shahabaldin Rezania

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

A straightforward, fast and efficient analytical method was developed which utilizes a magnetic composite called three-dimensional graphene (3D-G@Fe₃O₄) as an adsorbent to recover nitrite ions (NO₂^–) from environmental water samples. The investigation into the synthesized adsorbent contained an examination of its morphology, chemical composition, structural attributes, and magnetic properties. This comprehensive analysis was conducted using various instrumental techniques, including Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The adsorbent surface was activated by adding cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to the …

A Comprehensive Examination Of Age-Related Lower Limb Muscle Function Asymmetries Across A Variety Of Muscle Contraction Types, Kylee Heap

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Previous research has found that lower limb muscle asymmetries increase with age and are linked to fall and injury risks. However, past studies lacked a wide variety of muscle function modes and measures as well as comparison to a comparable young aged group. The purpose of this study was to examine age-related lower limb muscle function asymmetries across a variety of muscle contraction types and velocities in young and old adults. Lower limb muscle balance, strength, power, and velocity were evaluated with concentric, isometric, isotonic, and eccentric muscle actions during a single-leg stance test and on single- and multi-joint dynamometers …

Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction During Acute Multi-Joint Eccentric Exercise On Muscle Recovery, Cody Fisher

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise has become an increasingly common modality due to evidence that it may yield positive muscle-related effects from low-intensity exercise. However, eccentric-only exercise in a multi-joint format has not yet been investigated in regard to the BFR influence on muscle recovery characteristics. The purpose of this study was to assess muscle recovery responses via isometric peak force (PF), soreness (i.e., VAS, PPT, PPD), and functional power (i.e., SLHD) following a 5-minute low-load multi-joint eccentric exercise bout with or without blood flow restriction. Thirty participants were randomly assigned into either an eccentric-only (CON) or an eccentric BFR …

Efficacy Of Depth Jump Parameters As A Recovery Monitoring Tool, Lane Johnson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Background: Fatigue monitoring is an important aspect for athletic coaches to monitor the level of readiness of an athlete. Monitoring of an athlete’s fatigue status helps identify the need to adjust one’s training program, identify injury risk, and help attain an athlete’s peak performance when it is most advantageous for them. More research is warranted that examines the effects of a comprehensive set of jump parameters to track recovery from muscle impairing exercise. This study focused on the onset of muscle soreness through eccentric resistance exercise. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to examine the efficacy of force plate …

Acoustic-Perceptual Relations Between Fundamental Frequency And Expressiveness In Speakers With Hypokinetic Dysarthria, Alena Portnova

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Hypokinetic dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that occurs in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and affects not only their speech intelligibility but also how their attitudes and emotions are perceived by listeners. People with PD have been judged as less happy, involved, friendly, and interested based only on their speech samples. A lack of speech expressiveness is one of the characteristics that is likely to be related to these negative listener judgments. Specifically, it has been suggested that a lack of fundamental frequency (F0) variation reduces speakers’ ability to express various emotions. To investigate whether speech expressiveness is related …

Assessing Impact Of Food Structure On Oral Tribology And In-Vitro Digestion Of Dairy Products, Lamis Ali

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In this research, we focused on understanding the critical elements impacting consumer experience and the nutritional value of dairy products, specifically their texture, mouthfeel, and protein breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract. Our study aimed to accomplish two main goals. First, we performed analysis of the tribological attributes of various commercially dairy products. The second objective was to investigate the process of disintegration and protein release in selected dairy products.

The study included an assessment of eight dairy products of varied consistencies: solid like cheddar, cheese curd, and parmesan; semi-solid such as cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and yogurt; and liquid represented …

Peer-Mediated Family Support Project: Evaluation Of Changes In Family Quality Of Life, Preethy S. Samuel, Elizabeth Janks, Nia S. Anderson, Michael Bray, Christina Topolewski, Sharon Milberger

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Family Quality of Life (FQOL) approach represents a paradigm shift from fixing to supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) by changing the focus from the individual to the family and highlighting strengths rather than deficiencies. Aging family caregivers of individuals with I/DD often encounter obstacles, including accessibility, acceptability, and affordability of services. Little is known about best practices to support aging families of adults with I/DD. Understanding how a state-wide peer-mediated family support project implemented in this study helped improve the FQOL of aging caregivers is important in broadening participation of other caregivers in these types of programs. To …

Interdisciplinary Treatment Approach To Youth With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities And Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions, Ashley Greenwald, Erika Ryst, Diane D. Thorkildson, Lauren Brown

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Many individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) have co-occurring mental health needs, yet service delivery options often do not allow for the integrated delivery of mental health treatment and social behavioral support services. Siloed treatment approaches often result in lack of collaboration between providers, increasing the difficulty in accessing comprehensive and coordinated treatments and reducing treatment potential and effective outcomes. Additionally, many service providers in behavioral support services are not trained to address significant mental health needs; similarly, providers of mental health services lack experience in modifying practices for differing cognitive needs. The lack of cross-training and cross-collaboration makes …

The Person Experiences Interview Survey: A Measure Addressing Ableism In Mental Healthcare For Patients With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Micah Peace Urquilla

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Many People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) also have mental health needs requiring the support of mental health service providers, yet they may experience barriers to full engagement in their care due to ableism. Ableism is a kind of prejudice that impacts People with IDD in many parts of life, even in mental health care. This article proposes how an adapted Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) can be a response to ableism, with an impact at three distinct yet interrelated levels that reflect the parties involved in the mental healthcare of People with IDD-MH: provider, caregiver, and patient.

At …

Health Care Professionals’ Stigma Toward People With An Opioid Use Disorder: Preliminary Findings On The Effect Of Amount Of Contact Has On Stigma, Gabriela Murza, Cris Meier, Lily Ward, Sydney O'Shay, Rachel Myrer

Transforming Communities

Opioid-related deaths are the leading cause of injury deaths in Utah. Individuals who seek treatment for opioid misuse report stigma from healthcare professionals as the leading barrier to accessing treatment. Health professionals provide a variety of treatment options in efforts of combating high rates of opioid misuse. However, these professionals may not be properly trained in stigma reduction strategies, thus leading to poor client care and outcomes. The current study examined the association between contact with individuals who misuse opioids and stigma perceptions among healthcare professionals. A one-time survey was administered to healthcare professionals who practice in Utah using convenience …

Outcomes Of Virtual Diabetes Cook Along Classes, April Litchford, Jenna Dyckman, Cindy Jenkins, Andrea Schmutz, Carrie Durward

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

USU Extension Diabetes Cook Along classes provide diabetes education to the public while removing barriers to participation. These classes teach relevant topics through hands-on activities to increase participants’ ability to effectively self-manage their diabetes symptoms. Evaluation results show that participants experienced high satisfaction (86%) and substantial knowledge gain (92%) after the classes.

Effects Of Stroboscopic Vision On Depth Jump Motor Control: A Biomechanical Analysis, Kenneth D. Harrison, Christopher J. Dakin, Anne Z. Beethe, Talin Louder

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Researchers commonly use the 'free-fall' paradigm to investigate motor control during landing impacts, particularly in drop landings and depth jumps (DJ). While recent studies have focused on the impact of vision on landing motor control, previous research fully removed continuous visual input, limiting ecological validity. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of stroboscopic vision on depth jump (DJ) motor control. Ground reaction forces (GRF) and lower-extremity surface electromyography (EMG) were collected for 20 young adults (11 male; 9 female) performing six depth jumps (0.51 m drop height) in each of two visual conditions (full vision vs. …

Skills To Support Mental Health In Uncertain Times, Part 1: Being Open, Rachel Byers, Heather H. Kelley, Ty Aller, Timothy Keady

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the skill of being open, an important component of psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility, being able to respond to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings in a flexible and values-aligned way, can help protect and improve an individual's quality of life. Openness includes learning to accept uncomfortable thoughts and sensations rather than pushing them away. The fact sheet includes exercises that research has shown can help increase openness. Two other fact sheets are part of this Skills to Support Mental Health in Uncertain Times series, including "Part 2: Cultivating Awareness," and "Part 3: Being Engaged."

Examining Factors Associated With The Use Of Community Food Resources: An Application Of The Andersen Model To Inform Future Interventions, Abiodun T. Atoloye, Oluyemisi Akinsola, Melissa Murillo

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

The role of the food environment in shaping nutrition and health has gained substantial attention from policymakers, public health researchers, and advocacy groups. To promote equities in food access and nutrition outcomes, understanding factors linked with the utilization of local community food resources is crucial. Using Andersen’s service utilization model, we explained how adults use their neighborhood food resources. In a cross-sectional study design, an online survey was conducted in REDCap Version 13.4.0 via the Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) involving 1830 adults with a mean age of 37.9 ± 12.1 years. Participants answered questions on predisposing, enabling, and need factors …