Health and Physical Education Commons^™

Lower Extremity Movement Strategies Of Defensive Flag Pulling In Flag Football, Claudia De La Cruz, Rianne L. Aguilar, Travis Peterson

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze lower extremity movement strategies as defensive players prepare for the flag pull action. METHODS: Eleven female flag football players (minimum high school varsity level) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were instructed to pull the flag of a stationary dummy placed 3 yards away as fast as possible. Trials were conducted in three directions: 45 degrees left from center (L), forward (F), and 45 degrees right from center (R). Motion capture (Vicon, 120 Hz) and video analysis were used to analyze technique. A repeated measures ANOVA test was conducted to determine differences in …

Effect Of Acute Grape Seed Extract Supplementation On The Heart Rate Recovery Kinetics In Individuals With High Bmi, Kathryn Connors, Sara Krager, Iltark Yoon, Kaylee Hauck, Jong-Kyung Kim

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Studies have suggested that post-exercise heart rate recovery (PHRR) is a useful tool in evaluating dysfunction of autonomic nervous system. Individuals with hign BMI are characterized by heightened sympathetic out, inducing delayed HRR. Although grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation has been shown to increase nitric oxide production and decrease overactive sympathetic activity, there is limited evidence on its potential beneficial effects on PHRR. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GSE supplementation on PHRR following a maximal exercise tesing using a cycle. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned via a double-blind, cross-over design to either receive …

Anthropometric Normalization Applies To Elbow Varus Torque, But Not Ulnar Collateral Ligament Properties In Collegiate Pitchers, Dylan Bakhshi, Adam J. Barrack

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Elbow varus torque (EVT) is used as a surrogate measure for ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury risk in baseball pitching. EVT is often normalized to pitcher anthropometrics to account for body size, but it is unclear if these are appropriate. If UCL structure is not related to body size, normalizing EVT to body size may compromise its relevance to injury risk. This study examined whether body size is associated with EVT or UCL structure to determine if body size is an appropriate ratio normalization for both EVT and underlying UCL structure in collegiate baseball players.

METHODS: 38 …

Neuromuscular Performance In Strength Or Endurance Trained Individuals: Construct Validity Of Mcpet Variables, Jeff Moore, Paolina Chavez Ibarra, Daniel T. Cannon, Harry B. Rossiter Facsm, Carrie Ferguson

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The musculo-cardiopulmonary exercise test (mCPET) assesses neuromuscular performance during a standard ramp-incremental cycle ergometer exercise test using the addition of brief (5s), maximal effort isokinetic cycling power (Piso) measurements at baseline and intolerance. mCPET quantifies 4 additional variables: maximum voluntary isokinetic power (Baseline Piso); the fraction of Baseline Piso achieved at V̇O₂peak (Aerobic Power Index, API); neuromuscular fatigability between baseline and intolerance Piso (Fatigue Index, FI); and the difference between peak ramp power and Piso at intolerance (Power Reserve, PR), reflecting the degree neuromuscular performance limits the exercise. PURPOSE: To determine construct validity of the mCPET using …

User Experience On Virtual Reality On Motor Learning And Real World Skill Transfer Of A Novel Forearm And Hand Prosthesis, Kenneth M. Mazariegos, Jacob Hinkel-Lipsker

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Virtual Reality is a medium that growing as a means for rehabilitation practices, allowing patients to receive personalized training scenarios with minimal equipment and space requirements. However, there is still a need to understand how different aspects of VR design such as physical fidelity (visual realism), cognitive fidelity (psychological realism), and adaptivity (whether the challenge of the VR task scales to user proficiency) influence learning and enhancement of motor skills. PURPOSE. To evaluate the impact of physical and cognitive fidelity in a VR environment on motor learning and real-world skill transfer of a reaching task using a novel arm prosthesis. …

Time-Of-Day And Sex-Dependent Effects Of Exercise On Cardiometabolic Health In Mice With Social Jetlag, Graham R. Mcginnis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Physiology has adapted to function on a 24 hour time scale, referred to as the circadian rhythm. Operating outside of this time scale leads to circadian rhythm disruption, which invariably leads to pathological outcomes. Social jetlag (SJL), a common form of circadian rhythm disruption, occurs when an individual’s sleep/wake schedule differs throughout the week (i.e. – staying up late on the weekends), and has been associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Exercise is a potential intervention to prevent SJL-induced impairments, but the time of day at which exercise is most effective is unknown.

PURPOSE: Determine if early or late phase …

Evaluating Takeoff Mechanics Between Dancers And Non-Dancers During Bilateral Jumps, Danielle Serrano, Nixom Alfaro, Ricardo Pineda, Stephana Powell, John Reed, Ricardo Tolentino, Danielle Jarvis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Many athletes in sports that consist of movements with sharp turns, such as women's basketball and soccer, experience a high amount of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in proportion to dancers, who experience low rates of ACL injuries. There has been minimal research on how jump takeoff mechanics differ between dancers and other active individuals. Some previous work has indicated that dancers use greater motion and forces at the ankle joint compared to non-dancers in jumping movements. PURPOSE: To determine the kinetic and kinematic differences between non-dancers and dancers during bilateral squat jump takeoffs. METHODS: Nineteen healthy female …

Acute Sleep Reduction Impairs Heart Rate Variability And Heart Rate Recovery Following Aerobic Exercise In Healthy Adults, Jocelyn Kaveney, Gracie Dupuis, Eric Lessard, Braden Wilson, Grahm Mcginnis, Ryan Perkins

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

INTRODUCTION: According to the CDC, ~35% of American adults are receiving an inadequate amount of sleep (/night). PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute sleep reduction on heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) following aerobic exercise. METHODS: Healthy, active adults (n=11; 26.4±5.4 yr; 45% female) were screened to ensure eligibility (i.e., meeting the CDC’s sleep recommendations of 7-9hr/night, apparently healthy, recreationally active, and non-smoking), characterize body composition via DXA and measure maximal cardiovascular capacity (VO2max). Utilizing a within subjects, repeated measures design, participants completed an initial 7d period of habitual sleep (CON) followed …

Landing Mechanic Differences Between Dancers And Non-Dancers During Vertical Jumps, John Reed, Jenelle Idian, Jasmin De La Cruz, Andrea Rodriguez, Aysha W. Cunningham, Ricardo Tolentino, Danielle Jarvis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Dancers endure training that results in an increased range of motion and flexibility. Such training can impact risk of injury and produce overall differences in movement. Despite these potential impacts, there is minimal research comparing landing mechanics between dancers and non-dancers. PURPOSE: To explore kinetic and kinematic differences between dancers and non-dancers when landing from a vertical jump. It was hypothesized that dancers would demonstrate greater peak ankle dorsiflexion and ankle net joint moments during landing compared to non-dancers. METHODS: A sample of ten dancers and nine non-dancers, all healthy females, were equipped with reflective markers and performed …

Comparison Of Data Cleaning Procedures For Gastrointestinal Temperature In An Occupational Setting, Hillary A. Yoder, Anne M. Mulholland, Jonathan E. Wingo, Lyndsay K. Krisher, Yaqiang Li

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Gastrointestinal temperature (Tgi) is measured in occupational settings to monitor heat stress, but Tgi telemetric pill sensors are often ingested without sufficient time to exit the stomach, increasing the likelihood of errors and thereby necessitating data cleaning. It is unknown if data cleaning method affects the interpretation of heat stress. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare 2 recently published methods of cleaning Tgi data. METHODS: Tgi was measured once every 5 min during work from 6:00 am – 2:30 pm in 19 people (13 on Day 1 and 17 on Day 2). Data were cleaned using the …

The Effect Of Prolonged Bed Rest On Muscle Oxidative Capacity And Muscle O₂ Diffusive Sensitivity In Young And Elderly Participants, Alessio Marciano, Andrea Pilotto, Alessandra Adami, Harry B. Rossiter Facsm, Simone Porcelli

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Whole body maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O_2MAX) is dependent on the capacity for convective and diffusive oxygen transport and skeletal muscle O₂ extraction. V̇O_2MAX declines after bed rest (BR), accompanied by reductions in convective O₂ transport and muscle oxidative capacity. The effect of BR on diffusive O₂ transport limitation is unknown.

PURPOSE: To determine vastus lateralis (VL) oxidative capacity and limitation in O₂ diffusion at skeletal muscle level in young (Y) and elderly (E) participants after 21 and 10 days of BR, respectively.

METHODS: 9 Y (23±4 yrs) and 10 E (69±3 …

Effects Of Booties On Foot Skin Temperature During Surfing, Juan Leyva, Richard Armenta, Jeff A. Nessler, Sean Newcomer

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Cold water exposure during surfing can induce cold stress which can potentially impact comfort and performance. Neoprene booties have been marketed to mitigate cold stress within the feet, but there is limited information regarding their effectiveness PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize dorsal and plantar foot skin temperatures between two bootie models (strapped vs. strapless) during sixty minutes of recreational surfing in cold water. METHODS: Thirty-six recreational surfers (25 males and 11 females) with foot sizes between 7 and 10 each wore one strapped and one strapless 3 mm neoprene bootie that were randomized between left and …

Perceived Menstrual Cycle-Related Symptoms Throughout Four Cycles In Elite South American Futsal Athletes., Abigail Larson, Catalina Gamboa

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

Previous research suggests menstrual cycle (MC) phases have minimal impact on exercise performance; however, less is known about the influences of MC phases on day-to-day training variables, particularly those that are subjective in nature. Mobile apps designed to track MCs are becoming increasingly popular for exercise planning but the utility of these tools for capturing MC-related changes in training/performance variables has not been fully explored. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify how the four phases of the MC (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal), predicted by the Fitr Woman App, influence the frequency of daily, self-reported perceptions of decreased …

Exploring The Physiological Limits Of Aging: A Case Study Of The Male 50-Km 80+ World Record Holder, Andrea M. Pilotto, Enrique Higueras-Liébana, Massimiliano Ansaldo, Marianna Neri, Letizia Giusti, Ivan Baltasar-Fernandez, Ángel Buendía-Romero, Pedro Luis Valenzuela, Ignacio Ara, Julian Alcazar, Simone Porcelli

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

In literature, age-related changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance performance are questioned due to potential confounding effects from modifications in exercise training. World-class master athletes serve as exceptional models for understanding high-level physical training impact in older age.

PURPOSE: To examine physiological and performance profiles of a male 81-year-old master runner who in 2025 set a new 80+ world record in the 50-km race (4h47m39s, 10.5 km·h^-1).

METHODS: Two weeks after the new world record, maximal O₂ uptake (V̇O_2max), the fractional utilization of V̇O_2max (lactate threshold - LT) and running economy (RE) …

Phase Angle As An Indicator Of Cellular Health And Body Composition In Active Older Adults, Paxton Castillon, Heather Feeny, Abby Hansen, Alyssa Mcnutt, Matthew Densley, Elizabeth Cafferty, Ben Taylor, Nicolas Clark, Andrew Creer, Dale Wagner Facsm

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: Phase angle (PhA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, reflects cellular health and membrane integrity. It is influenced by muscle mass, hydration, and cell membrane function, making it particularly relevant for assessing physiological status in older adults.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between PhA and body composition variables in active older adults participating in the Huntsman Senior Games.

METHODS: This observational descriptive cross-sectional study included 504 participants (307 women, 197 men; mean age 66.3 ± 7.9 years). Data were collected using the InBody 770 multifrequency body composition analyzer at the Huntsman Senior Games in St. …

Examining Muscle Synergy Deficits In Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Nicholas K. Odani, Chethan N. Reddy, Daniel C. Mcpherson, Kayla D. Seymore, Lori A. Michener

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Neuromuscular deficits observed through electromyography (EMG) of individual muscles are common in rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy. However, given that muscles act in coordination, muscle synergy analyses can identify altered neuromuscular patterns that can inform specific interventions to address these deficits.

PURPOSE: Characterize shoulder muscle synergies in RC tendinopathy.

METHODS: 54 individuals with RC tendinopathy (32M, 29.4 ± 8.9 yr) and 54 healthy controls (matched for age, sex, height, weight, and hand dominance) completed four velocity-controlled shoulder elevation tasks with seven repetitions of scaption, flexion, forward reaching, and contralateral reaching. During each task, muscle activity was collected from the …

Who Chooses To Move? A Snapshot Of University Students Enrolled In Physical Activity Courses, Zakkoyya H. Lewis, Ami Rollins, Madeline Gutierrez, Emily Condon, Nicolas Ovalle

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Physical activity rates of emerging adults in the United States declines significantly during the transition to university. The university environment can introduce new barriers that prevent students from prioritizing their physical fitness; however, there are other students that make physical activity a priority and embed it into their academic curriculum. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide the characteristics of a sample of university students enrolled in a physical activity course. METHODS: Students registered for a Weight Training and Kickboxing activity course voluntarily enrolled in a study evaluating the impact of enjoyment on physical activity. Participants completed a …

Upper Extremity Biomechanical Analysis Of Defensive Flag Pulling In Flag Football, Rianne L. Aguilar, Claudia De La Cruz, Travis J. Peterson

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: This project aimed to determine upper extremity techniques during defensive flag pulls in women’s flag football. METHODS: Eleven healthy, female flag football players with at least high school varsity experience volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were instructed to pull the flag(s) of a stationary dummy placed 3 yards away as fast as possible. Trials were conducted in flags facing forward (F), angled 45° left (L), and angled 45° right (R) of the flag puller. Motion capture (Vicon, 120 Hz) and video analysis were used to analyze technique. The Waterloo Handedness Survey was used to indicate hand preference. …

Influence Of Virtual Reality Cognitive Fidelity On Biomechanical Adaptation And Motor Strategies With A Custom Prosthesis And Foot Controller., Marek R. Kwasek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

In an age of digitization, rehabilitation is embracing newer technologies, particularly VR, to enhance motor development and learning skills with real-world applications. With its practical replicability, VR’s visual (i.e., how visually realistic a virtual environment is) and cognitive fidelity (i.e., how well a virtual environment mimics the cognitive demands of real-world tasks) has the potential to influence motor strategies and, ultimately, a person’s functional biomechanics when learning a new skill. PURPOSE: To examine how different levels of visual and cognitive fidelity impact users’ reaching biomechanics when controlling a prosthetic arm using a foot controller. METHODS: Participants completed 12 …

Nanomechanical Effects Of Microgravity On Murine Tendon Fibrils, Patrick Bialy, Andrew S. Ichimura, Kent A. Lorenz, Ryan T. Scott, James R. Bagley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Microgravity, characterized by a weak gravitational pull, poses physiological risks to astronaut health and performance. While its impact on muscle and bone is well documented, effects on connective tissue, such as tendon, remain understudied. PURPOSE: This study aimed to 1) quantify the effects of 37 days of microgravity on the compressive nanomechanics of individual collagen fibrils and 2) compare these findings to existing literature and previously collected lab data. We hypothesized that spaceflight (SF) fibrils would exhibit a lower Young’s Modulus (YM) than ground controls (GC). METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 37 days of spaceflight aboard the International …