Sports Sciences Commons^™

Countermovement Jump Assessment For Monitoring Prolonged Fatigue In Collegiate Female Soccer Players, Jeffrey A. Wilkins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Females are 4 to 6 times more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury than their male counterparts during running and cutting sports, such as soccer. This sex disparity is thought to result from altered lower limb neuromuscular control that females present when fatigued at the end of practice or games. Yet, current fatigue monitoring techniques typically vary in their reliability, applicability and efficiency. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of the countermovement jump (CMJ) to quickly and reliably monitor fatigue in female soccer athletes. Methods: Twenty-two (age: 19.3 ± 1.1 yrs, …

Sex Effects On Ankle Biomechanics During Sports-Relevant Tasks And Peroneal Muscle Parameters, Wyatt D. Ihmels

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Ankle sprains from excessive inversion are the most frequent sports- related injury. Common ankle prophylactics are designed to prevent injury by limiting excessive ankle inversion, yet may restrict other ankle motions leading to repeated re-injury. Females are twice as likely as males to suffer an ankle sprain, however, it is unknown if a sex dimorphism in ankle biomechanics exists when wearing ankle prophylactics, and whether differences in the peroneal musculature exist between sexes. Purpose: To quantify the ability of ankle prophylactics (Ankle Roll Guard (ARG), Brace, Control, and Tape) to prevent excessive ankle inversion during a sudden inversion event, …

Investigating The Effects Of Social And Temporal Dynamics In Fitness Games On Children's Physical Activity, Ankita Samariya

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Obesity in children has more than doubled in the last four decades. A variety of fitness technologies such as activity trackers, exergames, and mobile applications are available to promote physical activity, but few are designed adequately to meet children's specific needs. In my initial research, I found that children prefer having social interaction, a narrative, and flexibility while interacting with such technologies. Other research has shown that persuasive displays encouraged adults towards physical activity. As a part of this work, a collection of mobile applications, collectively known as KidFit Suite were developed. These applications encourage children to be physically active …

Validity Of The Polar M430 Among Females Of Varying Fitness Levels, Body Fat Percentage, And Reported Physical Activity, Kevin Earl Miller

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The Polar M430 is a heart rate monitor that uses a non-exercise prediction method to predict one’s V̇O_2max. Research has revealed that this method will overestimate predicted V̇O_2max among females. Studies have investigated the validity of this method, however, these studies have not taken into account how physical activity (PA) levels, body fat percentage, or measured V̇O_2max could affect the prediction value. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of the Polar M430 in predicting V̇O_2max amongst females of varying PA levels, body fat percentages, and fitness levels. Methods: Forty-eight …

The Relationship Between Perfectionism And Self-Determined Motivation In Collegiate Division I Athletes, Christian Sengfelder

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: An athlete’s performance is dependent on both psychological and physical factors. Perfectionism and motivation are two psychological factors that can influence performance of athletes in a positive or negative manner. The relationship between perfectionism and motivation has been studied previously, but the relationship has not been studied with sport specific measurements and the collegiate athlete population has largely been ignored. Purpose: To investigate the levels of perfectionism and motivation in collegiate Division I student-athletes and determine how the forms of perfectionism (adaptive versus maladaptive) are related to the different levels of motivation (controlled vs autonomous forms) in this …

Sex Differences In Lower Limb Biomechanics During A Single-Leg Cut With Body Borne Load, Auralea Carylon Fain

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries are ever-increasing in military personnel, particularly females. These musculoskeletal injuries are attributed to adaptations in lower limb biomechanics while performing routine military tasks, such as a single-leg cut, with the addition of body borne load. However, it is unknown if females and males exhibit similar lower limb biomechanics with the addition of body borne load during these tasks. This study sought to compare the lower limb biomechanical adaptations exhibited by females and males performing a single-leg cut with body borne load. Methods: Eleven females and 17 males had lower limb biomechanics quantified during a single-leg cut with …

Effects Of Natural Nutritional Beverages On Anaerobic Exercise Performance, Clare Margaret Zamzow

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Dietary nitrate (NO₃-) can serve as a substrate for the important signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO). Recent studies suggest that NO₃- beet juice could be beneficial during anaerobic (i.e. short duration, high power) exercise, though this area has received much less attention than beet juice’s effects during aerobic exercise. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if acute dietary NO₃- supplementation, in the form of beet juice, could improve measures of anaerobic power in trained, healthy men during a primarily anaerobic bout of exercise. A secondary purpose was to investigate if …

Serum Ferritin's Relationship To Training Reduction Among College Distance Runners, Taylor John Thompson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID), measured as serum ferritin (SF), has been found in 31% and 57% of elite male and female athletes respectively. In distance runners, ID has been found to affect up to 41% of men and 82% of women. There are significant health consequences of ID such as decreased bone mineral density, altered thyroid function, immune suppression, and fatigue. Purpose: To determine if there is a relationship between ID and training reductions due to injury, illness, and fatigue in collegiate distance runners. Hypothesis: Because ID affects bone health, fatigue, thyroid, and immune function, it is …

The Effects Of Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse Concentration On Cycling Time Trial Performance, Jonathan Youell

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate (CHO) solution during exercise has been shown to improve endurance exercise performance. However, it is unclear if performance is improved to a greater extent with a higher concentration mouth rinse. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a dose-response effect to CHO mouth rinse concentration on endurance performance during a 1h cycling time trial. METHODS: Fourteen male participants, aged 18-45 years old, who cycled a minimum of 30 miles per week, participated in this study. Participants completed five, 1h time trials on a cycle ergometer, each separated by at least …

Predicting College Women Rowers’ Motivation And Persistence: A Self-Determination Theory Approach, Audrey Coon

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Collegiate women’s rowing has evidenced unprecedented growth in the past three decades. With an average roster of 50.2 athletes, women’s “crew” has been an attractive sport for colleges and universities to add to their program offerings and achieve compliance with Title IX. To satisfy the increased demand for female athletes, college rowing teams often recruit athletes with no previous rowing experience (i.e., “true novices”). Unfortunately, many programs experience significant attrition within their novice and varsity rowing rosters each season. Thus, while Title IX has been successful in affording opportunities for women rowers, the present study sought to determine the factors …

Tibial Tubercle Transfer To Correct Bilateral Patellar Tendinopathy In A Collegiate Football Player, Andrew D. Hamstra

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To present a case of a competitive football player with chronic patellar tendinopathy and the associated bilateral tibial tubercle transfer surgeries performed leading to the reduction of pain and return to participation.

Background: A 19 year-old male football athlete (height= 187.96 cm, mass= 112.037 kg) presented with chronic patellar tendinopathy that began in his high school career and continued to worsen with the increased physical demands associated with participation in collegiate sport.

Differential Diagnosis: Chondromalacia patella and Osgood Schlatters disease.

Treatment: After nonsurgical intervention resulted in no decrease of pain, bilateral tibial tubercle transfer surgery was conducted to correct …

Laboratory And Field-Based Correlates Of Off-Road Cycling Performance, Joshua Adams

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The aims of this study were to identify physiologic characteristics among trained off-road cyclists and correlate them with a field-based time trial to determine predictors of live performance. Fourteen trained male off-road cyclists were recruited for this study, and measured for maximum aerobic capacity (VO_2max), peak aerobic power (W_peak), maximum anaerobic power (W_max), time trial performance (sec), and climbing ability (vertical feet per second – VFS). VO_2max and W_peak were measured during an incremental cycling test to exhaustion, W_max was measured during a 30-second Wingate test and time trial, and VFS …

The Culture Of Risk, Pain, And Injury Among Certified Athletic Trainers, Anastasia Elizabeth Nemec

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Athletes who participate in sport experience the risk of pain and injury. In today’s sports culture, playing with pain and injury has been normalized, which can leave athletes with severe chronic injury, incessant pain, and potential irreversible damage. Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) uphold a professional responsibility to manage injuries and care for the health of athletes under their attention. According to Nixon (1992), ATCs are members of a social network found in sport, called a “sportsnet.” Nixon has blamed sportsnet members, including ATCs, for the normalization of injury in sport - a charge that contradicts ATCs’ standards of practice …

Convergent Validity Between Field Tests Of Isometric Core Strength, Functional Core Strength, And Sport Performance Variables In Female Soccer Players, Jeffrey Scott Wagner

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Previous research has failed to definitively explain the role that core fitness plays during sport performance. Movements of sport performance require the core musculature to simultaneously provide spinal stability while producing external forces that aid limb movement. The core is central to most kinetic chains; therefore, a better understanding of core function during sport should help to benefit performance. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare tests of isometric core strength that evaluate the ability of the core to provide a stable base of support, and tests of concentric functional core strength that evaluate the ability of …

Traction Characteristics Of Cleated Athletic Shoes At Various Angles Of Internal Rotation On Artificial Turf, Benjamin S. Cooper

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

As an alternative to natural grass playing fields, the installation of artificial turf surfaces has grown exponentially over the past several decades. Despite the growing popularity of artificial turf, little is known about the interaction between the player’s shoe and the turf surface. Previous research has sited the difficulty in maximizing performance (high traction), yet minimizing the risk of injury (low traction). Due to seemingly countless factors that affect the turf-shoe interaction, determining safe traction ranges for artificial turf is very difficult. Safe ranges between performance and risk of injury need to be found. The purpose of this study was …

A Descriptive Study Examining Motivation, Goal Orientations, Coaching, And Training Habits Of Women Ultrarunners, Rhonna Zena Krouse

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Ultrarunners are people who participate in running events that exceed the 26.2 mile marathon distance. Currently, women make up approximately 20% of this population. To date, no studies have investigated female ultrarunners. The present study sought to describe these women (N = 344) by evaluating motivational factors for participation, goal orientations, training habits, and coach utilization. Motivation was measured using the Motivation for Marathoners Scale (7 point Likert scale). General health orientation (M = 4.71± 1.06) and psychological coping (M = 4.71±1.03) were the two categories most endorsed whereas social motives were least endorsed (M = …