Sports Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Short-Term, Progressive Exercise Training On Disease Activity In Smouldering Multiple Myeloma And Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Undetermined Significance: A Single-Arm Pilot Study, A. Emery, S. Moore, J. Crowe, J. Murray, O. Peacock, D. Thompson, F. Betts, S. Rapps, L. Ross, D. Rothschild-Rodriguez, A. A. Echarri, R. Davies, R. Lewis, D. X. Augustine, A. Whiteway, Z. Afzal, J. L. J. Heaney, M. T. Drayson, J. E. Turner, John P. Campbell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: High levels of physical activity are associated with reduced risk of the blood cancer multiple myeloma (MM). MM is preceded by the asymptomatic stages of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smouldering multiple myeloma (SMM) which are clinically managed by watchful waiting. A case study (N = 1) of a former elite athlete aged 44 years previously indicated that a multi-modal exercise programme reversed SMM disease activity. To build from this prior case study, the present pilot study firstly examined if short-term exercise training was feasible and safe for a group of MGUS and SMM patients, and secondly …

An Analysis Of Strength Training Implementation In Ballet, Claire Hoover

Senior Honors Theses

Ballet, a style of dance that is known for its 180-degree external rotation, extreme precision, discipline, and aesthetics, is an athletic activity that is undertaken by many young people, particularly females. Although ballet has many athletic components, recent studies have shown there are a variety of weaknesses that impact its participants, including the female athlete triad, lack of lower extremity muscular strength, risk of injury, and overtraining. According to recent research, strength training, although not historically paired with ballet, could minimize ballet dancers’ deficiencies by increasing muscular strength and reducing risk of injury and incidence of the female athlete triad. …

Psychology Of Athletes: Impact Of Injuries On Mental Health, Caitlin Rainey

Whittier Scholars Program

This article aims to contextualize the importance of understanding injuries in athletics and how those injuries impact mental health. With such a high prevalence of injuries in athletics, most studies analyze the physical implications on the athlete. It is vital that mental well being is studied as much as physical health throughout the injury and rehabilitation process. This study reviewed previous literature on the social impacts of team sports, psychological and social implications of injury, the impact of residual pain, and finally the process of retirement. A survey was also conducted at a small liberal arts college in Southern California …

Acl Bracing: Is It Still Being Done Clinically And Does It Influence Confidence And/Or Biomechanical Performance During A Drop Vertical Jump?, Bailey Watson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures account for 60% of sports-related injuries and the gold standard for treatment is surgical intervention to replace the damaged ligament to restore function of the ACL. Braces are typically used to return to previous physical activity levels; however, there are no clear guidelines on their utilization. Beyond the physical consequences of undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery, the psychological component is often ignored.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to better understand the impact of knee bracing on both biomechanical factors and confidence following ACL reconstruction. Two aims comprise the overarching purpose; the first is …

Cannabidiol (Cbd) And Resistance Training: Does Cbd Attenuate Acute Pain?, Guillermo Pacheco

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

INTRODUCTION: Resistance training (RT) is an advantageous form of physical activity for health and performance benefits; these benefits are maximized when done strenuously. However, strenuous RT can induce acute inflammatory pain which can lead to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Common analgesics like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can block protein synthesis, so other alternatives are needed for exercise and athletic communities to maintain physiological adaptations. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with purported anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and analgesic properties. One of the main reasons for the use of CBD in exercise is pain alleviation; however, research in humans is limited. Therefore, the …

Behavioral Biases In Daily Fantasy Baseball: The Case Of The Hot Hand, Jeremy M. Losak, Andrew P. Weinbach, Rodney J. Paul

Sport Management - All Scholarship

Despite mixed evidence, sport participants and fans heavily believe in the existence of the hot hand. Prior literature examining NBA and NFL betting markets found betters were biased toward hot teams. Using a unique market and data set, this study identifies if the hot hand is prevalent in daily fantasy baseball contests, if there is a profitable hot hand selection strategy, and if consumers believe in its existence. Results show that while there is no evidence of a hot hand effect, and no evidence of a profitable hot hand strategy, consumers believe in and incorporate it in their lineup decisions.

Comparing The Effects Of Mat Pilates On Lower Limb Strength And Agility In Young Adults With Sedentary To Active Lifestyles, Morgan E. Mccammon

Honors Program Projects

Background: Meeting physical activity guidelines is essential for maintaining physical health, decreasing the risk of chronic disease, and improving fitness. Pilates is a form of low to moderate exercise that can be implemented to improve multiple components of fitness and be considered active. Today, Pilates is available to the general population through online instruction.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a four-week, self-led online Pilates program or a walking routine on inactive and active young adults. This study analyzed changes in lower limb strength and agility.

Methods: This experiment involved eighteen …

Increasing Social Inclusion And Engagement Of Exercise For Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries: A Universal Resource Development For Wellness Facilities, Alexa Hall

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are 1.5 times more likely to disengage in exercise one-year post-injury despite 80% of these individuals agreeing that exercise is critical to their overall health and quality of life (Baehr. Et al., 2022). A needs assessment was conducted on why the lack of engagement in exercise exists for individuals with SCIs within fitness facilities to identify barriers preventing participation. A quality improvement program called the Spinal Cord Injury Wellness Toolkit was created based off these findings and implemented at the MUSC Wellness Center. 14 individuals with SCIs participated at wellness center; REDCap surveys were …

Does Smart Money Believe In The Hot Hand? Evidence From Daily Fantasy Baseball, Jeremy M. Losak, Andrew P. Weinbach, Rodney J. Paul

Sport Management - All Scholarship

The behavior of informed traders, or 'smart money,' in sports betting markets has long been f interest to researchers. In this paper, we focus specifically on the behavior of smart money in Major league Baseball (MLB) daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests to determine if they avoid cognitive behavioral biases to increase their expected earnings. Specifically, we investigate whether smart money avoids the hot hand bias, where individuals tend to overestimate the likelihood of success for players on a hot streak. Using a dataset of MLB DFS contests, we find that winning lineups have lower usage rates for players exhibiting the …

On The Value Of A Premium College Football Player: Evaluating The Literature, Jeremy M. Losak, Benjamin J. Posmanick, Raymond Sauer

Sport Management - All Scholarship

Over the past decade, the issue of player compensation in college sports has been the subject of several successful legal challenges. Athletes contend that the compensation they receive falls significantly short of the value they generate, attributing this gaps to unlawful NCAA restrictions. Numerous tools exist in the sport economic literature that estimate the value of colelge athletes, with an emphasized focus towards premium college football players. In addition to providing updated estimate of player marginal revenue product (MRP), we review past and contemporary methodologies for esitmating colllege player MRPs. We contend that, while presenting some evidence that restrictions on …

Physical Activity And Amyloid Beta In Middle-Aged And Older Adults: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, María Rodriguez-Ayllon, Patricio Solis-Urra, Cristina Arroyo-Ávila, Miriam Álvarez-Ortega, Pablo Molina-García, Cristina Molina-Hidalgo, Manuel Gómez-Río, Belinda Brown, Kirk I. Erickson, Irene Esteban-Cornejo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: One of the pathological hallmarks distinguishing Alzheimer's disease from other dementias is the accumulation of amyloid beta (A ). Higher physical activity is associated with decreased dementia risk, and one potential path could be through A levels modulation. We aimed to explore the relationship between physical activity and A in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus was performed from inception to April 28, 2022. Studies were eligible if they included physical activity and A data in adults aged 45 years or older. Multi-level …

Accelerometer-Based Head Impact Detection In Soccer - Where Are We?, Nipun Chopra

Biology Faculty publications

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a significant burden on individuals, societies, and healthcare systems as it is associated with long-term neurological and behavioral consequences. Although these effects vary according to severity, events that lead to TBI and mild TBI (mTBI), such as concussions, subconcussive impacts, and non-impact violent head movements, may also lead to similar changes. Soccer players are particularly prone to mTBI as they are exposed to head impacts in various ways during training and gameplay. A commonly-claimed TBI risk is that posed by the "heading" technique. Our examination of the literature questions the extent to which heading actually …

Dropout From Exercise Trials Among Cancer Survivors—An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis From The Polaris Study, Benedikte Western, Andreas Ivarsson, Ingvild Vistad, Ingrid Demmelmaier, Neil K. Aaronson, Gillian Radcliffe, Marc Van Beurden, Martin Bohus, Kerry S. Courneya, Amanda J. Daley, Daniel A. Galvão, Rachel Garrod, Martine M. Goedendorp, Kathleen A. Griffith, Wim H. Van Harten, Sandi C. Hayes, Fernando Herrero-Roman, Anouk E. Hiensch, Melinda L. Irwin, Erica James, Marlou-Floor Kenkhuis, Marie J. Kersten, Hans Knoop, Alejandro Lucia, Anne M. May, Alex Mcconnachie, Willem Van Mechelen, Nanette Mutrie, Robert U. Newton, Frans Nollet, Hester S. Oldenburg, Ron Plotnikoff, Martina E. Schmidt, Katie H. Schmitz, Karl-Heinz Schulz, Camille E. Short, Gabe S. Sonke, Karen Steindorf, Martijn M. Stuiver, Dennis R. Taaffe, Lene Thorsen, Miranda J. Velthuis, Jennifer Wenzel, Kerri M. Winters-Stone, Joachim Wiskemann, Sveinung Berntsen, Laurien M. Buffart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors has increased in recent years; however, participants dropping out of the trials are rarely described. The objective of the present study was to assess which combinations of participant and exercise program characteristics were associated with dropout from the exercise arms of RCTs among cancer survivors. Methods: This study used data collected in the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) study, an international database of RCTs investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors. Thirty-four exercise trials, with a total of 2467 patients …

The Role Of Diet And Gut Microbiota In Alzheimer’S Disease, D. M.Sithara Dissanayaka, Vijay Jayasena, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Ralph N. Martins, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (A ) plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles. Currently, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) impacts 50 million individuals, with projections anticipating an increase to 152 million by the year 2050. Despite the increasing global prevalence of AD, its underlying pathology remains poorly understood, posing challenges for early diagnosis and treatment. Recent research suggests a link between gut dysbiosis and the aggregation of A , the development of tau proteins, and the occurrence of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are associated with AD. However, investigations into the gut–brain axis …

Relative Strength Explains The Differences In Multi-Joint Rapid Force Production Between Sexes, Paul Comfort, John J. Mcmahon, Jason P. Lake, Nicholas J. Ripley, N. Travis Triplett, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether relative strength explains the differences in the rapid force production (force developed during first 150-, 200-, and 250 ms) of females and males, and to evaluate the relationships between peak force and rapid force production. Sixty-three team sport athletes (females: n = 25, age = 21.5 ± 1.3 years, stature = 166 ± 5 cm, body mass = 60.65 ± 10.04 kg; males: n = 38, age = 21.9 ± 1.1 years, stature = 178 ± 7 cm, body mass = 76.55 ± 12.88 kg) performed a series of isometric …

In Vivo Human Medial Gastrocnemius Fascicle Behaviour And Belly Gear During Submaximal Eccentric Contractions Are Not Affected By Concentric Fatiguing Exercise, Matheus Daros Pinto, Kazunori Nosaka, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Changes in muscle geometry and belly gearing during eccentric contractions influence fibre strain and susceptibility to muscle damage. They are modulated by the interaction between connective tissues and intracellular-intrafascicular fluid pressures and external pressures from neighbouring structures. Fatiguing exercise triggers fluid shifts (muscle swelling) and muscle activation changes that may influence these modulators. Our purpose was to measure medial gastrocnemius (MG) geometric changes in vivo during eccentric contractions before and after maximal concentric muscle work to test the hypothesis that fatigue would reduce fascicle rotation and muscle gear and provoke greater fascicle strain. Submaximal eccentric plantar flexor contractions at 40% …

Different Methods Of Winning, Losing, And Training In Combat Sports And Their Relationship With Overall Competitive Winningness, Oliver R. Barley, Craig A. Harms

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aimed to investigate how overall competitive winningness in combat sports depended on patterns of victory and loss, as well as training habits. Competitors (N = 280) from several combat sports participated in the study. The online survey included questions on self-reported patterns of victory (and loss), training habits, general demographics (e.g., age), and sport-specific information (e.g., stage of career and competitive style). Overall, it was found across four models that reflected diversity of winningness in combat sports that the most important predictors of competitive winningness were loss by points (negative), loss by submission (negative), loss (negative) or victory …

The Association Between Lateral Hip Muscle Size/Intramuscular Fat Infiltration And Hip Strength In Active Young Adults With Long Standing Hip/Groin Pain, Zuzana Perraton, Andrea B. Mosler, Peter R. Lawrenson, Kenneth Weber Ii, James M. Elliott, Evert O. Wesselink, Kay M. Crossley, Joanne L. Kemp, Christopher Stewart, Michael Girdwood, Matthew G. King, Joshua J. Heerey, Mark J. Scholes, Benjamin F. Mentiplay, Adam I. Semciw

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To investigate associations between lateral hip muscle size/intramuscular fat infiltration (MFI) and hip strength in active young adults with longstanding hip/groin pain. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University/Clinical. Participants: Sub-elite soccer and Australian Football players (n = 180; 37 female) with long standing hip/groin pain. Main outcome measures: Muscle size (volume) and MFI of gluteus maximus, medius, and minimis, and tensor fascia latae (TFL) were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Isometric hip strength was measured with handheld dynamometry. Associations between muscle size/MFI were assessed using linear regression models, adjusted for body mass index and age, with sex-specific interactions. Results: Positive …

Inverse Association Between Exercising Blood Pressure Response And Left Ventricular Chamber Size And Mass In Women Who Habitually Resistance Train, Evan L. Matthews

Research Data

Excel document of research data.

Microvascular Reactivity Is Greater Following Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise Compared To Traditional Resistance Exercise, Michael R. Perlet, Evan L. Matthews

Research Data

Excel document of research data, statistical analysis, and graphs.

Fatigue Changes Biomechanical Variables In Drop Vertical Jump Performance In Competitive Basketball Players, Isabella Bruno, Caroline Linardos, Michala Rennels, Kristina Williams, Robin Dorociak, Jaydee Romick, Jason Brumitt

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The drop vertical jump (DVJ) has been used as a tool to identify athletes at risk for injury. Initial studies have suggested an association between biomechanical variables and injury (1); however, subsequent research has demonstrated no relationship (2-4). Evaluating variables in fatigued athletes may help clinicians identify athletes at risk. Advances in motion capture technology now allow for assessment of variables after a fatigue protocol.

Does The Size-Weight Illusion Exist During Deadlift?, Dakota Kerbow, Luke Mallory, Robin Dorociak, Peter Jang, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Purpose:

to assess whether the SWI exists during deadlift (whole body loading), and identify the mechanical factors that explain or overcome the illusion

A Holistic Approach To Performance Prediction In Collegiate Athletics: Player, Team, And Conference Perspectives, Christopher Taber, S. Sharma, Mehul S. Raval, Samah Senbel, Allison Keefe, Jui Shah, Emma Patterson, Julie K. Nolan, N.S. Artan, Tolga Kaya

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Predictive sports data analytics can be revolutionary for sports performance. Existing literature discusses players' or teams' performance, independently or in tandem. Using Machine Learning (ML), this paper aims to holistically evaluate player-, team-, and conference (season)-level performances in Division-1 Women's basketball. The players were monitored and tested through a full competitive year. The performance was quantified at the player level using the reactive strength index modified (RSImod), at the team level by the game score (GS) metric, and finally at the conference level through Player Efficiency Rating (PER). The data includes parameters from training, subjective stress, sleep, and recovery (WHOOP …

Assessments Used By Athletic Trainers To Decide Return-To-Activity Readiness In Patients With An Ankle Sprain, Ryan S. Mccann, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Ashley M. B. Suttmiller, Phillip A. Gribble, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) often care for patients with ankle sprains. Expert consensus has been established for rehabilitation-oriented assessments (ROASTs) that should be included in ankle-sprain evaluations. However, the methods ATs use to determine return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain are unknown.

Objectives: To identify ATs' methods for determining patients' return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain and demographic characteristics of the ATs and their methods.

Setting: Online survey.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Patients or Other Participants: We recruited 10 000 clinically practicing ATs. A total of 676 accessed the survey, 574 submitted responses (85% completion rate), and 541 respondents met the …

The Bradley-Terry Model In Binary Outcome Driven Rankings: An Apllication In Amateur Hockey, Connor Meissner, Jeremy M. Losak

Sport Management - All Scholarship

Ranking systems serve critical roles in sport settings, most notably in determining playoff participants and seeding. Numerous ranking methodologies exist that incorporate many input measures and produce models that are highly predictive of game outcomes. However, there are circumstances—especially for amateur sport leagues—in which more complex inputs are either unavailable or not desirable, as they may lead to adverse performance incentives. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to highlight a ranking methodology that only considers binary game outcomes, i.e., wins and losses. Specifically, we consider the efficacy of the Bradley-Terry Model to rank sport teams for playoff consideration. We …

Reduction And Recovery Of Self-Sustained Muscle Activity After Fatiguing Plantar Flexor Contractions, Anthony J. Blazevich, Ricardo N. O. Mesquita, Ronei S. Pinto, Timothy Pulverenti, Sébastien Ratel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Persistent inward calcium and sodium currents (PICs) are crucial for initiation and maintenance of motoneuron firing, and thus muscular force. However, there is a lack of data describing the effects of fatiguing exercise on PIC activity in humans. We simultaneously applied tendon vibration and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (VibStim) before and after fatiguing exercise. VibStim induces self-sustained muscle activity that is proposed to result from PIC activation. Methods: Twelve men performed 5-s maximal isometric plantar flexor contractions (MVC) with 5-s rests until joint torque was reduced to 70%MVC. VibStim trials consisted of five 2-s trains of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (20 …

Exercise Professional Education, Qualifications, And Certifications: A Content Analysis Of Job Postings In The United States, Rachele Pojednic, Devin P. O’Neill, Molly G. Flanagan, Alexis Bartlett, Byron L. G. Carter, Mary A. Kennedy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Growth in the field of clinical exercise science and the potential impacts on overall health and wellbeing have driven the need for qualified, clinically trained, exercise professionals. And yet, it is not well understood what specific credentials employers are seeking when hiring exercise professionals. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the qualification requirements for professionals seeking employment in exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology or equivalent fields. Methods: Search platforms Indeed.com and USAJobs.gov were examined within a two week period in 2022. Search terms included “Exercise Physiology”, “Exercise Science”, “Exercise Professional”, “Exercise Prescription”, “Exercise Specialist”, and “Kinesiology”. …

The Effect Of Stroboscopic Vision On The Y-Balance Test, Alex Habegger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if stroboscopic vision significantly effects performance on the YBT-LQ in athletes 12-18 years old, as well as investigating if age or sex effect performance. Previous research has demonstrated the clinical use of stroboscopic vision for athletic performance and rehabilitation, but no study had yet established the effect of stroboscopic vision on dynamic balance. Subjects performed the Y-Balance Lower Quarter (YBT-LQ) and then repeated the YBT-LQ with stroboscopic vision at a rate of 4 hertz (Hz). A repeated measures factorial ANOVAs were used identify significant differences in performance on the YBT-LQ with and …

Eccentric Muscle Actions Add Complexity To An Already Inconsistent Resistance Exercise Nomenclature, James L. Nuzzo, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

An eccentric muscle action (or contraction) is defined as active muscle lengthening against resistance, which occurs when the force generated by the muscle is smaller than the resistance placed upon it. Eccentric resistance exercise, which involves multiple sessions of repeated eccentric muscle actions, improves muscle strength and other health outcomes. In response to this evidence, new exercise technologies have been developed to permit feasible completion of eccentric muscle actions outside of the laboratory. Consequently, participation in eccentric resistance exercise is projected to increase in the future, and communications about eccentric resistance exercise are likely to reach a wide audience, including …

Cluster Sets To Prescribe Interval Resistance Training: A Potential Method To Optimise Resistance Training Safety, Feasibility And Efficacy In Cardiac Patients, Kimberley L. Way, Hannah J. Thomas, Lewan Parker, Andrew Maiorana, Michelle A. Keske, David Scott, Jennifer L. Reed, Jessica Tieng, Daniel Hackett, Tess Hawkins, Christopher Latella, Rachael Cordina, Derek L. Tran

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The integration of resistance training for cardiac patients leads to important health outcomes that are not optimally obtained with aerobic exercise; these include an increase in muscle mass, maintenance of bone mineral density, and improvements in muscular fitness parameters. Despite the proliferation of evidence supporting resistance exercise in recent decades, the implementation of resistance training is underutilised, and prescription is often sub-optimal in cardiac patients. This is frequently associated with safety concerns and inadequate methods of practical exercise prescription. This review discusses the potential application of cluster sets to prescribe interval resistance training in cardiac populations. The addition of planned, …