Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Validation Of A Non-Invasive Physiological Stress Assessment: Agreement Of Salivary And Blood Cortisol Among Firefighters, Caiti Dodge, Hunter Martaindale, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, Drew E. Gonzalez, Matthew J. Mcallister

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Salivary cortisol has been used as an indicator of stress exposure among tactical personnel (i.e., firefighters). Assessing cortisol concentrations, whether via blood or saliva samples, can provide valuable insight into the physiological stress load placed upon the firefighter. Cortisol levels provide a reflection of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Salivary cortisol is unbound and has been suggested to provide a better reflection of HPA axis activity compared to blood cortisol, which is bound to soluble corticosteroid-binding globulin. Importantly, the use of salivary biosample collection also offers a more practical and non-invasive method to assess physiological stress biomarkers when blood sample …

Sex Differences In The Effects Of Cortisol On Muscle Characteristics: A Meta-Analysis, Natalie Bitetti

CMC Senior Theses

Background: Cortisol plays a central role in both muscle breakdown and growth. These effects are highly dependent on dose and interactions with other hormones. It is known that men and women show considerable differences in their muscle structure and physiology, which are largely driven by hormonal differences. Cortisol release patterns may also vary between the sexes, with current research showing considerable disagreement. The interplay between cortisol and muscle, two highly variable and sexually dimorphic factors, may prove to have different effects in males versus females.

Objective: This meta-analysis integrates existing research on sex differences in cortisol-muscle physiology with existing research …

Recovery Perceptions And Techniques Of Ultramarathon Runners, Denise Howard

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Ultramarathons have become increasingly popular over the last few decades. Ultramarathons are run on various terrains in different climates and are extremely distressing physiologically and psychologically. Recovery is crucial to restore physiological and psychological functioning yet is underappreciated. Compared to other sports, research related to ultra-endurance is limited, and a gap in research exists on effective recovery modalities and duration for ultrarunners. This study aimed to examine ultrarunners' practice and perceptions regarding recovery techniques and duration. An electronic survey designed for this study collected participants' perceptions about recovery and included physiological and psychological recovery factors. A total of 159 ultrarunners …

Stress Response To Winter Warfare Training: Potential Impact Of Location, Lauren M. Visconti, Andrea C. Givens, Lorraine P. Turcotte, Laura Arrington, Karen R. Kelly

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Winter Warfare Training (WWT) is a critical component of military training to prepare individuals to move effectively in harsh conditions. Moving through snow and heavy terrain increases overall stress to the entire human system. PURPOSE: The purpose of this effort was to quantify the stress response during WWT to determine the level of physiological adaptation to extreme environments. METHODS: Mountain and mobility operators (age: 31.5±1.4 years; height: 71.1±0.5 inches; weight: 192.5±6.6 lbs.; body fat percentage: 18.0±5.0%) were recruited for this effort. Participants engaged in baseline laboratory metrics at their home station located in Colorado (CO) prior to WWT for one …

Mental Health Among D1 Female College Athletes: Prevalance And Links To Athletic And Academic Performance, Mary Goebel

Honors Theses

Background. NCAA Division I female student-athletes are underrepresented in mental health research; existing research among female athletes tends to focus only on disordered eating and body appearance. This study aims to 1) describe the prevalence of mental health issues (i.e., anxiety, depression, and stress) among female Division I college athletes, and 2) assess the association between mental health issues and the student-athlete experience (i.e., athletic and academic performance).

Methods. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study that used a self-administered online survey. The participants were NCAA Division I female student-athletes, mainly from the University of Mississippi. Demographics and sample characteristics were …

Barriers To Adopting Lifestyle Behaviors Under The Prism Of Lifestyle Medicine, Janyll Barber, Zacharias Papadakis, Matthew Manierre, Ali Boolani, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

According to the ACSM, lifestyle medicine (LM) is in the top 20 worldwide fitness trends for 2022. The LM pillars of a plant-based diet, physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, social interactions, and avoidance of risky substances have been proposed as effective strategies for preventing and treating chronic conditions. However, implementing lifestyle behavioral changes to improve noncommunicable chronic disease outcomes has still been problematic. Individuals’ mental and physical status has been suggested as a key component in closing the gap between the intention to adopt a healthy lifestyle and actually adopting that behavior. PURPOSE: To examine the associations of …

The Effects Of A Guided Mindful Walk On Stress, Mindfulness, And Physical Activity In University Students, Ashley Burdick, Sarah Camhi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Creating effective resources on college campuses is needed to address low physical activity and low mental health in university students. PURPOSE: The purpose was to 1) measure changes in mental health (stress, mindfulness and anxiety) and 2) measure physical activity after participation in a guided mindful walk in a diverse student sample. METHODS: Students at the University of San Francisco were eligible if ≥18 years, able to read/write English, had access to a cell phone, able to stand/walk for 25 minutes. The mindful walking route included seven stops that asked participants to stop, reflect, notice their current surroundings …

Coping Strategies For General Anxiety In University Students: A Scoping Review, Thilini S. Wickramarachchi, Alane Daugherty, Nivitigala Sumitta, Zakkoyya H. Lewis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: For students with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), stress becomes a way of living. GAD is a condition used to characterize chronic long-term, intense, and excessive worry. Managing stress during college can be extremely challenging. Learning how to manage stress may help students cope with every day social and academic pressures; thus, enhancing college experience. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify coping mechanisms used by university students to manage their stress and anxiety. METHODS: The databases searched are as follows: Google Scholar, CPP One Search (which includes databases such as PubMed, ERIC, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) and …

Effect Of A University Physical Activity Challenge On Levels Of Anxiety, Depression, Stress, And Perceived Dependency Of Wearing A Physical Activity Tracker, Emily M. Jackson, Sarah M. Camhi, Stephanie L. Cooper

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Many studies have researched the benefits of physical activity (PA) and well-being, leading many universities to promote PA on campus. There is limited research on how university-based PA promotion impacts mental health, as well as the impact of wearing a physical activity tracker (PAT) and its potential to create dependency on wearing the device. PURPOSE: To understand the effects of a 4-week campus-wide PA challenge on levels of anxiety, depression, and stress in college students, and the potential dependency effects of wearing a PAT. METHODS: For the duration of the 4-week challenge, 44 undergraduate and 6 graduate students …

Arousal/Stress Effects Of “Overwatch” Esports Game Competition In Collegiate Gamers, William J. Kraemer, Lydia K. Caldwell, Emily M. Post, Matthew K. Beeler, Angela Emerson, Jeff S. Volek, Carl M. Maresh, Jennifer S. Fogt, Nick Fogt, Keijo Häkkinen, Robert U. Newton, Pedro Lopez, Barbara N. Sanchez, James A. Onate

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Kraemer, WJ, Caldwell, LK, Post, EM, Beeler, MK, Emerson, A, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Fogt, JS, Fogt, N, Häkkinen, K, Newton, RU, Lopez, P, Sanchez, BN, and Onate, JA. Arousal/stress effects of “Overwatch” eSports game competition in collegiate gamers. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2671–2675, 2022—To date, no physical response data are available for one of the most popular eSport games, Overwatch. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the stress signaling associated with competitive Overwatch play and to understand how acute hormonal responses may affect performance. Thirty-two male college-aged gamers (age: 21.3 ± 2.7 years; estimated time …

Memory And Attention While Scuba Diving At Shallow And Deep Depths: An Open Water Study, Leanne Boucher, Joshua Feingold, Kelly Concannon, Stephanie Talavera, Jaime Tartar, W. Matthew Collins

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

SCUBA diving requires a high level of cognitive functioning, however, many divers anecdotally report poor memory and attentional skills while underwater. Few studies have documented cognitive deficits resulting from an open-water dive. Here, 23 divers completed both shallow (8 m) and deep (28 m) dives over two days in the open-water. The order of the dives was counterbalanced across participants. While at depth, they completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to assess anxiety levels, learned and were tested on a list of 36 words, and completed the trail making task (TMT) to assess executive functioning. They also gave saliva samples to …

Eeg Neurofeedback And Isolation Stressor. A Systematic Review, Kacper Gotner, Marcin Dornowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. One of the factors increasing the body's response to a stressful situation is isolation. The feeling of loneliness in isolation can be caused by biological, psychological or medical factors. Material and methods: This paper is a review of publications issued in 2009–2021, the most up-to-date in terms of information on the topic of stress and its links with EEG neurofeedback. Results: 5 publications on stress caused by isolation and the reaction of the human body in a stressful situation were selected. The papers were selected based on the use of EEG neurofeedback in reducing the body's stress reactions to …

The Role Of Selected Intrapsychic Factors In Alpine Skiing Instruction, Krzysztof Makowski, Piotr Aschenbrenner, Bartosz Krawczynski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This research was aimed at describing the influence of selected intrapsychic factors related to “low” and “high” mountain conditions upon the efficiency of alpine skiing instruction. Material/Methods: Research participants were 48 people without skiing skills. Altitudes from 770 to 1,741 metres above sea level were chosen for “high” groups. A STAI questionnaire was chosen in order to carry out the research. The skiing level achieved by the end of the instruction was assessed expertly with the three essential evolutions, i.e. ploughing curves, slanting slide, and half-ploughing turn, taken into consideration. Results: The anxiety level after the instruction of the …

Sensitivity To Pain And Strategies Of Coping With Stress In Combat Athletes, Katarzyna Leznicka, Anna Starkowska, Agnieszka Lulinska, Magdalena Kowalczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The aim of the study was to assess the perception of pain (threshold and tolerance to pain of the combat athletes in comparison to those not practicing any sport and checking whether there is a correlation between the pain perception and strategies for coping with stress in both studied groups. The study was conducted on 273 healthy men. The test group consisted of 203 athletes; the control group consisted of 70 students from the Faculty of Physical Culture, University of Szczecin. The test of the threshold and pain tolerance was performed using an algometer manufactured by Quirumed Company. To assess …

Stress And Its Management By Students In The Field Of Education, Irena Plevova, Lucie Kremenkova, Michaela Pugnerova

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪The subject matter of the submitted survey was to determine what coping strategies are used to manage stress by university students in the field of education. Material and methods: ‪The research group included 51 university students of the Faculty of Education in a combined type of study (the students teach at high schools concurrently with their studies). To collect data, the standardised Stress Coping Style Questionnaire, SVF-78 was used. Results: ‪There is a statistically significant difference between the variables. Men prefer negative coping strategies to a lower extent than women, with statistical significance. Conclusions: ‪The submitted survey focused on …

Parental Burnout As A Health Determinant In Mothers Raising Disabled Children, Aleksandra Sadziak, Wojciech Wilinski, Marta Wieczorek

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study was to determine and compare the current risk of parental burnout in mothers of children with autism and with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities. Material and methods: ‪The study was conducted among 30 mothers of children with autism, 30 mothers of children with moderate intellectual disabilities and 20 mothers of children with mild intellectual disabilities. A diagnostic survey was the research method, a survey was the technique used, and the Parental Burnout Questionnaire by M. Sekułowicz and P. Kwiatkowski was the applied research tool. Results: ‪The average level of parental burnout risk significantly differentiates …

Emotional States Of Athletes In The First Lockdown Due To Covid-19: A Comparison Of Polish And Spanish Samples, Dominika Wilczynska, David Alarcon Rubio, Patrycja Sliwinska, Jose Carlos Jaenes

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The situation of the coronavirus pandemic has affected the lives of many athletes from different disciplines. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of Covid-19 first lockdown on emotional states and motivation of athletes from Spain and Poland. Material and methods: Polish male (N=24) and female (N=94) and Spanish male (N=81) female (N=95) athletes were investigated. The respondents did online ad hoc questionnaires, namely Emotional and Adaptative reactions during confinement (COVID-19-RECOVID-19), and Profile of Mood States (POMS). Results: Significant differences were observed in training conditions by country, with the Polish sample having higher scores than Spaniards. Stressing thoughts characterized …

Impact Of Menstrual Phases On Stress Markers: A Pilot Study, Bailey C. Weishaar, Hunter S. Waldman, Kyle T. Patek, Matthew J. Mcallister

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: Previous research has shown that different phases of the menstrual cycle may impact biometrics such as markers of stress and inflammation [e.g., cortisol (CORT), interleukin-6] as well as body composition. However, there is scarce literature regarding markers of stress and oxidative stress such as salivary a-amylase (sAA), immunoglobin-A (SIgA) and uric acid (UA), in relation to the four different menstrual phases. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of menstrual phases on sAA, CORT, UA and SIgA. METHODS: 21 pre-menopausal women with regular menstrual cycles (n=9) oral contraceptive users (OC) and ( …

Effect Of Various Sports And Overall Stress On The Presence Of The Dermatological Condition Acne Mechanica, Taylor Baccus

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Acne mechanica is a form of acne due to irritation to the skin being pressured, occluded, rubbed, squeezed, stretched, or heated. Mental stress might also contribute to the formation of acne mechanica. PURPOSE: Observe the effect of different sports, gear, and overall stress on the formation of the dermatological condition acne mechanica. METHODS: Fifty-nine Southwestern University student athletes participated in submitting pictures of their face and back for acne quantification over the course of 10 weeks during their athletic season. Stress was determined by their rated level of stress for that given week. Data was analyzed using two separate two-way …

Shifting The Focus Of Mental Health Onto Graduate Students, Rosanna Jaramillo

Graduate Research Showcase

The transition from undergraduate to graduate school has the potential to increase demands among students surrounding coursework as well as fiscal responsibilities. The increased demand has the potential to alter the student’s physical activity which can negatively affect mental health. Physical exercise has the potential to reduce depression as well as negative mood symptoms, such as stress. Exercising also allows for boosting energy, improvement of sleep quality, and relaxation quality. The purpose of this research study was to examine the mental health of the graduate participants prior and after a two-week exercise regimen. The presented study focused on a two-week …

Stress Among Ncaa Division Ii Head Coaches, Dee Gerlach

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify factors that create stress among head coaches at the National Association Athletic Association Division II level. Data was collected through a demographic questionnaire and the Coaching Issues Survey (CIS), a tool used to measure specific factors that may create stress among coaches. The factors of the CIS include four subscales: Athlete-Concerns, Time-Role, Program-Success, and Win-Loss. Participants (N=416) consisted of head coaches representing the following sports: baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s and women’s golf, softball, women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s tennis. The independent variables for this …

Shooting Accuracy And Precision After Tactical Exercises Among Special Weapons And Tactic (Swat) Team Members, Kristina M. Woodford, Monica V. Kock, Jacob D. Fanno, Heather E. Webb

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Law enforcement is one of the most stressful occupations and investigations have demonstrated law enforcement officers (LEOs) have greater CVD-related morbidity and mortality than the general population. LEOs are chronically exposed to events including physical dangers and psychological stress. Every day, LEOs utilize their training to save lives and keep themselves and their communities safe, however, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams have duties that are beyond the scope of normal law enforcement personnel. Part of this training includes the use of firearms to prepare officers to protect themselves and others in highly dangerous situations. Engaging in these dangerous situations …

Do High Amounts Of Stress And Anxiety Lead To A Higher Injury Rate Among Student Athletes?, Meghan Koch, Jennifer Walker, Erika Smith-Goodwin

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Please enjoy Volume 6, Issue 1 of the JSMAHS. In this issue, you will find Professional, Graduate, and Undergraduate research abstracts, and case reports.

Thank you for viewing this 6^th Annual OATA Special Edition.

The Effects Of Generalized Stress And Anxiety On Clinical Athletic Training Students: A Qualitative Study, Morgan E. Dumont

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Stress and anxiety are present and acknowledged on our society as seven out of 10 United States adults deal with moderate stress or anxiety on a daily basis (Beiter et al., 2015). Sport research has primarily focused on student-athletes, how they struggle, and the resources that can be provided to help this population cope and manage their stress. However, there is lack of research about stress and anxiety among those individuals who provide the care to student-athletes, specifically the athletic training students within their clinical assignments. Athletic training students lead similar schedules to student-athletes by devoting time to prepare for …

Unanticipated Stressful And Rewarding Experiences Engage The Same Prefrontal Cortex And Ventral Tegmental Area Neuronal Populations, Alberto Del Arco, Junchol Park, Bita Moghaddam

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020 Del Arco et al. Brain networks that mediate motivated behavior in the context of aversive and rewarding experiences involve the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Neurons in both regions are activated by stress and reward, and by learned cues that predict aversive or appetitive outcomes. Recent studies have proposed that separate neuronal populations and circuits in these regions encode learned aversive versus appetitive contexts. But how about the actual experience? Do the same or different PFC and VTA neurons encode unanticipated aversive and appetitive experiences? To address this, we recorded unit activity and local field …

Influence Of Fitness On Stress Reactivity As Measured With The Trier Social Stress Test, Andrea Guerrero, Sonio David Garcia, Alexis Ortiz, Dana Day, Rebekah Ortiz, Aliyah Medina, Angelika Lapetoda, Stacy Cantu, Deborah Parra-Medina, Daniel Hughes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: Psychosocial stress is associated with multiple health complaints which a higher cardiorespiratory fitness may reduce stress reactivity. A higher level of fitness may assist in the reduction of stress-related risk factors. Limited studies have investigated the health and cortisol response of promotoras’ (Latina community health educators) physical activity (PA) behaviors along the South Texas Mexico Border Region. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of promotoras’ fitness on stress reactivity in promotoras. METHODS: 17 promotoras’ anthropometric measures (body mass index (BMI)), were assessed before performing Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Salivary cortisol was collected before, 10-minutes, …

Southwestern University Student Athlete Wellbeing Survey - Pilot Study, Nadia Netek, Vanessa Mikan Phd, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

1 in 5 Americans live with a mental health condition. Student athletes' mental health is imperative for their performance and overall health. The pressures and challenges student athletes face can contribute towards a poor mental state. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is encouraging athletics departments to create a culture of mental wellness. PURPOSE: To assess the wellbeing (state of health and happiness emotionally, physically, and psychologically) of student athletes at Southwestern University. METHODS: Using Google Forms, a survey was created including questions that would examine the anxiety (BECK anxiety scale) and stress (combination of the Student Stress …

Sex Difference In Cardiorespiratory Stress From High-Intensity Interval Exercise, Paolo Miguel Salvador, Mauricio Martinez, Joaquin Gonzales, Eric Rivas

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

High-intensity interval exercise is time efficient and has similar cardiorespiratory health benefits as moderate-intensity continuous exercise. However, the prescription of high-intensity exercise may differ between men and women due to sex differences in cardiovascular function. PURPOSE: Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine whether sex differences exist for absolute and relative oxygen uptake (VO₂) and heart rate (HR) when exercise was performed at a percentage of maximal cycling work rate measured in watts (W_max). METHODS: We recruited 8 active college-aged participants (5 men, 3 women). Participants completed an incremental maximal exercise test on a …

Sleep And Stress In The Acute Phase Of Concussion In Youth, Arthur C. Maerlender, Caitlin Masterson, Jessica L. Calvi, Todd Caze, Ross Mathiasen, Dennis Molfese

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty and Staff Publications

This study sought to address the complex interplay between both biological and psychological perceptions of stress and sleep in the acute stages following a mild traumatic brain injury. A secondary goal was to identify potential targets for intervention. Eleven acutely injured youth (mean age 12 years) were studied at home with overnight actigraphy, salivary cortisol and melatonin assays, and subjective ratings of stress and fatigue (injured group). Nine matched control youth also were assessed (control group). Results suggested longer sleep latencies (time to fall asleep) and higher levels of fatigue in the injured group exist (p ¼ 0.025 and p …

Can A Dynamic Warm-Up Reduce The Magnitude Of Immune Perturbation Following Vigorous Aerobic Exercise, Mahmoud T. Elzayat, Emily C. Lavoy

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Exercise transiently increases several leukocyte populations in peripheral blood in an intensity-dependent manner, with numbers returning to baseline or lower during recovery. This mobilization of immune cells is explained in part by sympathetic activity and the release of stress hormones (catecholamines and cortisol). The literature examining immune responses to exercise has by and large failed to control for the presence of a warm-up prior to the experimental bout. Gradually increasing exercise intensity over a period of minutes may reduce the stress of the exercise bout and thus may influence the immune response to a given exercise protocol. PURPOSE: To …