Exercise Science Commons^™

The Examination Of Ankle Joint Motion Between Barefoot And Minimalist Running Shoes On Various Inclines, Stephanie Lloyd

Undergraduate Review

Recently various sports footwear companies have produced different types of minimalist running shoes to mimic barefoot walking or running such as Vibram FiveFingers and Nike Free Run shoes. The purpose of this study was to examine the range of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements at the foot in barefoot conditions in comparison to Vibram FiveFingers and Nike Free Run minimalist shoes to evaluate if the minimalist footwear would affect ankle joint motion on both flat and inclined surfaces. Five elite female runners were chosen to run on a treadmill for 30s at the speed of 3 m/s on an incline ...

The Effects Of Intermittent Isometric Fatigue On Concentric, Eccentric, And Isometric Torque, Robert W. Lewis Jr.

Open Access Theses and Dissertations from the College of Education and Human Sciences

Fatiguing intermittent isometric (ISO) muscle actions of the leg extensors have been shown to result in a similar percent (%) decline in torque for concentric (CON), eccentric (ECC), and ISO muscle actions. However, the effects of intermittent ISO fatigue of the forearm flexors on CON, ECC, and ISO torque, have not been established. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of 50 maximal, intermittent ISO forearm flexion muscle actions on CON, ECC, and ISO torque. Twenty adults (10 men (mean ± SD age = 21.9 ± 2.3 years) and 10 women (mean ± SD age = 22.7 ± 2.6 years ...

The Effects Of Static Stretching On Muscular Hypertrophy During A Resistance Training Program, Zachary A. Martin

Senior Honors Papers

Abstract

Studies have shown that static stretching right before physical activity can negatively affect performance. In regards to weight lifting, it has been shown that static stretching immediately prior to lifting can decrease the maximum amount of weight that can be lifted. This study was created in order to determine if static stretching immediately prior to weight lifting over the course of nine weeks would result in smaller gains in muscle size compared to those who did not static stretch immediately prior to lifting over the course of nine weeks.

Test-Retest Reliability For Voluntary And Evoked Measures Of Peak Torque, Electromechanical Delay, And Rate Of Torque Development In Older Men., Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins

Nutrition & Health Sciences Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability for peak torque (PT), rates of torque development (RTD), and electromechanical delay (EMD) calculated during voluntary and evoked muscle actions in men ages 65 and older. Fifteen older men (mean ± standard deviation (SD) age = 72.3 ± 7.3 years) completed 3 evoked and 3 voluntary isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors during two visits separated by 48 to 72 h. PT and EMD were calculated during voluntary and evoked muscle actions. RTD was quantified as the peak RTD, overall RTD, RTD in time intervals of 0-30 (RTD30), 0-50 ...

Chhs January 2013 E-Newsletter, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Vashon S. Wells, Editor, College Of Health & Human Services, Western Kentucky University

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

Alterations In Skeletal Muscle Strength And Mitochondrial Function Induced By Aging And Exercise, Justin Crane

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Introduction: Mitochondria are important organelles for skeletal muscle function. Mitochondria are susceptible to many forms of stress that alters their morphology, energy generation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which collectively promote degeneration and dysfunction in skeletal muscle. These processes are implicated in many health disorders, particularly in the aging process itself. Exercise is well established to increase muscle mitochondrial content and thus may attenuate several aspects of mitochondrial deterioration. Methods: Both human and animal models of mitochondrial stress (aging, ROS) were utilized in order to determine their effects on mitochondrial and muscle function. Additionally, exercise training was used in ...

Neuromuscular Function Following Lengthening Contractions, Geoffrey A. Power

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Unaccustomed lengthening contractions have been shown to impair muscle function - however little is known regarding this impairment on muscle power - specifically, the velocity component of power during voluntary contractions in humans. The four studies presented in my thesis investigated power-loss following lengthening contractions in healthy young and old women and young men.

The purpose of Study 1 was to determine reliability of velocity-dependent power of the dorsiflexors using the isotonic mode of the Biodex Dynamometer. I determined the isotonic mode is reliable and can be used to track changes in velocity and power following fatigue and lengthening contractions.

The purpose ...

The Effect Of Physical Activity On Medial Tibial Cartilage Health In Clinical Knee Osteoarthritis, Connie Ma

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disease that often occurs in older adults, affecting their quality of life. The purposes of this study were to examine 1) the relationship between physical activity and medial tibial cartilage volume and thickness in participants with clinical knee OA; and 2) the test-retest reliability of daily step counts produced by participants with knee OA.

The study included 34 participants (age 60.6 ± 6.5 years; body mass index 28.5 ± 5.4 kg/m²). Dependent variables were medial tibial cartilage volume and thickness, measured from magnetic resonance images. Independent variables were average ...

Aerobic Exercise Intensity Affects Skeletal Muscle Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis And Anabolic Signaling In Young Men, Danielle M. Di Donato

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Aerobic exercise can stimulate mixed muscle protein synthesis (MPS) acutely post-exercise; however, the types of proteins synthesized as a result of aerobic exercise are not known by studying changes in mixed MPS. We aimed to study the effect of aerobic exercise intensity on the 4 and 24 h post-exercise fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of myofibrillar proteins. Using a within-subject design, eight males (21 ± 1 years, VO_{2 peak}: 46.7 ± 2.0 mL kg^-1 min^-1) underwent 2 trials with a primed constant infusion of L-[ring-¹³C₆]phenylalanine in the fasted state for each work-matched exercise ...

The Impact Of Exercise-Induced Hormonal Changes On Human Skeletal Muscle Anabolic Responses To Resistance Exercise, Daniel West

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

There is a prevalent belief that acute hormone responses to resistance exercise mediate adaptations in skeletal muscle hypertrophy; however, there is little supporting evidence. We conducted studies to examine the relationship between acute hormonal increases after resistance exercises and subsequent changes in muscle anabolism.

We tested the hypothesis that exercise-induced responses of anabolic hormones—growth hormone (GH) and testosterone—would enhance rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) after an acute bout of resistance exercise, and would augment muscle hypertrophy after training. We concluded, however, that resistance exercise-induced increases in putative anabolic hormones do not enhance MPS or hypertrophy.

We also ...

School-Based Physical Activity In Children: An Evaluation Of The Daily Physical Activity Program In Ontario Elementary Schools., Ian T. Patton

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Ontarioimplemented the Daily Physical Activity program in all elementary schools to counteract the recent decline in children’s physical activity levels. The program mandates that all students in kindergarten to grade 8 are provided with 20 minutes of physical activity every day. The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the delivery of Daily Physical Activity as well as identify any supports or barriers to program delivery.

Study 1 consisted of a questionnaire investigating the perspectives of the teachers involved in the Daily Physical Activity program. Teachers were questioned about how they implement the DPA program, the supports and barriers ...

The Effects Of Sprint Interval Training On Endothelial Function In Young Men And Women, Stephanie M. Reid

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The benefits of exercise training on endothelial function in the healthy young population are unclear. This study was designed to assess the effects of sprint interval training (SIT; 4-7 x 30-45 s all out exercise efforts separated by 4 min of recovery, repeated 3-4 times/wk over 6 wk) on endothelial function of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) in young recreationally active men and women. Twenty-one men and twenty women arrived at the laboratory after >3 h fast and were assigned randomly to SIT or Control (no training) groups. SFA diameter and blood velocity (BV) were assessed using Doppler ultrasound ...

The Adaptive Response To Exercise Training: Implications For Radiation Protection And Bone Marrow Transplantation, Michael De Lisio

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Radiation is a prominent source of environmental oxidative stress that can have deleterious consequences for health. Despite its well-known negative effects, radiation is commonly employed clinically for disease treatment and diagnosis. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), used in the treatment of a variety of diseases, is preceded by a myeloablative regimen that usually involves radiation. Mortality associated with BMT is quite high and the aggressive radiation pre-treatment regimen contributes to these high rates of mortality. Interventions that inhibit the negative consequences of irradiation and promote BMT success would have significant implications for public health. Exercise-induced adaptations in numerous body tissues have ...

An Investigation Of Relationships Between Body Mass Index And Factors Of Wellness Among Full-Time Employees At Private Kentucky Colleges And Universities, Christopher Schmidt

Dissertations

The United States is in the middle of a health epidemic that shows no signs of stopping. Obesity is a disease that carries a significant number of health-related issues. The adult population has experienced a decrease in overall wellness, where the mental and physical health of individuals is disrupted by the effects of obesity. Even more alarming is the rate of increase in childhood obesity and its impact on America’s future.

The consequences of this health epidemic are especially visible in the increased costs of health care caused by obesity-related diseases. This epidemic reaches across many aspects of life ...

Throwing Frame For Athletes With Dissabilities, Andrew Higgins, Stefan Owechko, Gabriel (Gabe) Terrasas, Kevin Crisfield

Mechanical Engineering

Team Zeus’ senior project was to design, build and test a working throwing frame system for Bridge II Sports, a nonprofit organization in North Carolina. The throwing frame is used to allow athletes and individuals with disabilities to throw shot-put, discus, and javelin using a frame to sit against. Team Zeus was specifically tasked to build a frame that is lighter weight and more transportable than products that are currently on the market. This frame also is adjustable to accommodate a wide range of athlete weights, sizes, and abilities. The final result is a 35lb aluminum frame with two different ...