Digital Commons Network^™

Gps External Load Metric Data And Game Performance In Ncaa Division I Women’S Lacrosse Athletes: A Longitudinal Study, Rachel M. Lifson, Xavier Smith, Ernest Rimer, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 130-146, 2025. This study investigates the relationship between GPS-derived external load metrics and game performance (win/loss) in NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse athletes. Utilizing data from three seasons (2022-2024), the study analyzed 1,687 observations from 54 players to identify key performance indicators correlating with game outcomes. GPS metrics including Total Distance (TD), High-Speed Distance (HSD), Very High-Speed Efforts (VHSE), Total Player Load (TPL), High Inertial Movement Analysis (High IMAs), and Total Acceleration Load (TAL) were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression results indicate that VHSE is the most significant predictor of game success, with VHSE showing …

Comparison Of Virtual Vs. Traditional Cycling Exercise On Perceived Duration And Exercise Enjoyment: A Pilot Study, Kyle W. Reason, Lauren G. Killen, T. Scott Lyons, Jean A. Helm Allen, Matt Green

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(2): 147-157, 2025. Participating in regular physical activity has been shown to increases one’s quality of life. Individuals may choose not to participate in regular physical activity because of a perceived lack of time and enjoyment. With the potential of these barriers to decrease exercise adherence, the purpose of this study was to compare perceived exercise duration and enjoyment between a virtually interactive stationary bike and a clamped workload on a standard non-interactive stationary bike. Thirteen active participants completed a VO₂ peak test and four counterbalanced trials (two 20-min, two 40-min) with one trial …

Bridging Taste And Health: The Role Of Machine Learning In Consumer Food Selection, Saroj Adhikari, Brandon R. Mcfadden

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Navigating the modern food landscape is complex, often leading consumers to make suboptimal dietary choices due to information, time constraints, and psychological vulnerabilities. Machine learning (ML) presents a promising solution to enhance the contemporary grocery shopping experience by providing personalized dietary recommendations tailored to individual preferences and characteristics. Traditional methods of dietary guidance cannot account for nuanced consumer characteristics and preferences. In contrast, ML algorithms can incorporate specific information about individuals and continuously adapt to provide personalized recommendations, considering factors like historical eating habits, socio-demographics, nutritional requirements, etc. This paper explores the potential value of ML in enhancing personalized dietary …

Full Issue, Volume 12, Number 3, Donna J. Peterson, Scott Cummings, Elizabeth Gregory North

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

Achilles Tendon Morphology Adaptations In Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis: A Comparative Analysis With Neurologically Intact Controls, Jing Nong Liang, Greg Bashford, Kornelia Kulig, Kai-Yu Ho

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Introduction: In individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis, slow walking speed is a significant concern related to inadequate propulsion of the paretic limb. However, an overlooked factor is this population's altered morphology of the Achilles tendon, which may compromise the propulsive forces by the paretic limb. This study aimed to explore changes in Achilles tendon morphology, including gross thickness and intra-tendinous collagen fiber bundle organization, following stroke-induced brain lesions.

Methods: Fifteen individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (at least 6 months post-stroke) and 19 neurologically intact controls participated. Ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate Achilles tendon thickness and collagen organization in the …

Theory-Based Nutrition Education To Improve Food Security In Postsecondary Students, Tara Kelly

All ETDs from UAB

The high prevalence of food insecurity among college students is a public health concern that requires well designed interventions to address. College students experiencing food insecurity are more likely to practice diet-related behaviors that contribute to poor health, yet this population lacks the necessary knowledge and skills to make adequate behavior changes. The purpose of this present dissertation is to (1) assess preliminary data collected to inform the development of a theory-based nutrition education intervention; then (2) evaluate the feasibility of this novel intervention design and (3) its effectiveness at improving college students’ food security and factors that may impact …

Transcriptomic Transformations And Epigenetic Elements: The Heart Of The Matter Across Diverse Cardiac Pathophysiologies, Sayan Bakshi

All ETDs from UAB

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprises a complex array of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, representing the leading cause of mortality worldwide. This multifaceted nature of CVD has prompted extensive research into its molecular underpinnings and etiological diversity. Despite significant advances, the majority of CVD management strategies are guideline-based symptomatic treatment. This necessitates extensive research studies on therapeutic interventions aimed at disease prevention or cure. In this dissertation, we have employed next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques to elucidate the cardiac transcriptional and epigenetic landscape across various conditions, including ischemic heart failure (IHF), Cardiogenic shock (CS), and diabetic heart failure (DHF). Our …

A Comparison Of Brief Resistance And Aerobic Exercise Bouts On Cognitive Processing Speed In Young Adults, Jamie Ambriz, Amber M. Shipherd, Robert J. Kowalsky

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 119-129, 2025. Research has found even a brief bout of exercise to be beneficial for improving processing speed. However, there is a lack of research directly comparing the effect of exercise modalities on processing speed. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a single brief bout of resistance exercise to aerobic exercise on cognitive processing speed in young adults. A total of 29 young adults ranging from 20-34 years of age (22.59±2.86 years) participated in a familiarization session followed by two randomized exercise conditions (aerobic, resistance). Each moderate-intensity exercise condition …

Sport Participation Positively Associated With Balance Confidence And Well-Being In Transtibial Amputees, Lucas Hudson, Paolo Sanzo, Carlos Zerpa, Taryn Klarner

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 1663-1678, 2024. Transtibial amputation (TTA) is the removal of the lower leg often resulting in pain, mental health issues, and a more sedentary lifestyle that lacks physical activity (PA). Low balance confidence and other factors related to the physical and psychosocial adaptation to amputation could contribute to why people with TTA actively avoid PA. Studies have investigated lower extremity amputations and barriers to PA in general, but none have focused solely on transtibial amputation and its relationship with PA participation and avoidance habits. To address this issue, 21 participants with TTA (14 male, 6 …

Exploring Nutritional Needs In Spinal Cord Injury: Dietitian Perspectives, Bowel Health, And Dietary Recommendations, Ayse Gul Zengul

All ETDs from UAB

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a global condition affecting millions of people and leading to life-altering health complications. It profoundly alters body composition and metabolic rate, which need to be addressed with SCI-specific nutritional strategies. Muscle atrophy, fat accumulation, and decreased energy expenditure often lead to secondary health complications such as chronic diseases and SCI-related health problems, including pressure injuries and bowel dysfunction. Although nutrition plays a critical role in SCI management, our understanding of specific dietary needs for this population remains incomplete. This dissertation aims to comprehensively investigate the nutritional challenges and needs of individuals with SCI, ultimately developing …

Couple-Based Lifestyle Intervention For Minority Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Feasibility Trial, Dalnim Cho, Yisheng Li, Karen Basen-Engquist, Chiara Acquati, Nga T T Nguyen, Hilary Ma, Curtis A Pettaway, Lorna H Mcneill

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Black and Hispanic prostate cancer (PCa) survivors, who face a high burden of comorbid conditions and often engage in low levels of physical activity and healthy eating, remain significantly underrepresented in lifestyle intervention studies.

Purpose: Given the significance of spousal influence, we developed a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention for these survivors and their spouses and assessed its feasibility, acceptability, and impact on behavioral change.

Methods: Survivor-spouse couples were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 22), which received 12 health-coaching calls over 6 months, or a usual-care control group (n = 9). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T1), …

Identifying Personality In Reptiles And Assessing Welfare Implications For Their Roles As Ambassador Animals In An Educational Setting, Valery Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined behavioral variability and personality in 13 reptiles used as ambassador animals at the American Museum of Natural History. Observations across seasons and novel object tests revealed individual differences, behavioral components, and correlations. Findings emphasize reptilian complexity, highlighting welfare implications while underscoring the need for further research.

Social Networks And Behavioral Adaptation Of Serrano Horses In A Rewilding Initiative In Spain, Ashley Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

Rewilding is a conservation measure that involves actively relocating species or restricting human land use to improve ecosystem sustainability. However, critics raise concerns that rewilding privileges ecosystem function over endangered species. Due to a lack of monitoring around species’ relocations, uncertainty lies in ecological outcomes and psychological, social, cultural impacts on affected animals. For this project, we collaborated with the non-profit Rewilding Europe that sought to conserve Serrano horses (Equus caballus), an ancient and under-studied breed of Spanish horse by relocating 11 individuals to a protected site in Guadalajara, Spain in June 2022. Our research aimed to address …

The Effects Of Augmented Feedback, Focus Of Attention, And Monetary Reward On Vertical Jump Height: A Replication Study, Javad Bakhshinejad, Jasmin C. Hutchinson, Jennifer Murphy, Lydia Trainor, Sarah Friedman, Nicholas Coker

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 13-26, 2025. Reproducibility and replicability of published empirical scientific evidence are fundamental for verifying key findings, identifying errors and/or boundary conditions, and upholding rigorous research standards. For this replication study, the primary goal was to assess the replicability of the findings from Wälchli et al. (2016), which investigated the role of augmented feedback (AF), external focus of attention (EF), and reward (RE), as well as a combination of these conditions on countermovement jump height. The original study sample included 18 resistance-trained male and female participants, while this replication included 38 (19 male, 19 female). …

Yoga Vs. Static Stretching: Recovery Impact On Male Athletes’ Post-Hiit Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, And Heart Rate Variability Analysis, Haruthai Petviset Dr., Sasima Pakulanon Dr., Suppalerk Rusmeeroj, Buris Rukdang

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 79-91, 2025. Heart rate and heart rate variability indicate an athlete's cardiovascular recovery and autonomic balance after intense exercise. While stretching aids recovery, its effects on autonomic balance are inconsistent. Yoga’s combination of postures, breathing, and relaxation may further activate the parasympathetic system, making it a promising tool for sports recovery. This study employed a crossover design to examine the effects of yoga and stretching on post 30-min session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) recovery in male athletes. Twenty athletes of Mae Fah Luang University (Age 20.95±0.99 years old, VO2max 42.53±4.79 ml/kg/min) were given …

The Psychometric Performance Of State Mindfulness Scales Around Sitting And Walking On Desert Trails: A Pilot Study, Dustin W. Davis, Elias M. Malek, Rob Salatto, Marcus M. Lawrence, Jacob W. Manning, Mark Debeliso, Merrill R. Landers, Graham Mcginnis, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 27-42, 2025. State mindfulness is a dynamic construct reflecting current mindfulness, or purposeful attention to the present moment with openness, non-judgment, non-reactivity, and acceptance. Despite its popularity and research in psychology and medicine, measuring state mindfulness remains a challenge. Validity and reliability of the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) and State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) in applied settings like nature require more data to be established. This pilot study aimed to evaluate these scales and introduce a new, one-item scale, the Visual Analog Scale-Mindfulness (VAS-M), for quicker mindfulness assessment. Participants completed the SMS, …

The Relationship Between Lower-Body Flexibility And Running Performance In A Half Marathon Downhill Running Event, Logan Petty, Marcus M. Lawrence

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 1-12, 2025. Although previous studies examining treadmill or relatively flat overground running events have found relationships for running performance and flexibility, no study has examined these outcomes during downhill events, including between sexes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between lower body flexibility and running performance in recreational adult male and female distance runners competing in a downhill half marathon race. Recreational (n=11 male, n=19 female) adult distance runners completed this study. On the day prior to the race, participants performed a standardized warm-up, …

The Importance Of Older Seniors Attempting To Stay Fit, Moses A. Hutchens

CSU Tower Day

Fitness is important to all but is indeed important to seniors. Partaking in fitness positively contributes to seniors in all fascists of life. Seniors attempting to stay fit is essential as it improves their mental health, physical health, and social well-being while stimulating independence and longevity. Mentally, exercise helps relieve depression and anxiety, boosts cognitive function, and improves sleep. Staying active also promotes better balance and mobility, reducing the risks of falls and making daily duties easier. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and bones, improves heart health, weight management, and enhances joint function. These help reduce the risk of conditions like …

A Band-Aid Solution: The Need For A Better Treatment Plan For The Physician Burnout Crisis, Sarah Mangroo

Annals of Health Law and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Dignity In Detention: Addressing Gynecological Healthcare Needs Of People Detained By U.S. Immigration Authorities, Glykeria Teji, Esq., Shira Wisotsky, Esq.

Annals of Health Law and Life Sciences

People who require gynecological and obstetric care and who are detained by U.S. federal immigration authorities face unique challenges. This article examines how the current legal and administrative landscape fails to hold those responsible for providing healthcare accountable, effectively blocking access to gynecological care, and, assuming no immediate abolition of immigrant detention facilities, how international human law principles can and should guide a reimagining of the system. We also propose interim steps that U.S. authorities can take to protect access to basic and needed gynecological care for the people that they detain. Beginning with an overview of immigration detention as …

Which Of The Environmental Aspects Affecting The Gut Microbiome Of The Neonate Has The Largest Lifelong Impact?, Roza Heershzon

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The development of new DNA sequencing techniques has led to new discoveries on the gut microbiome’s critical influence on metabolic processes and immune development. Therefore, understanding the most influential factors in the development of the gut microbiome during early infancy, which impacts the individual’s long-term health, is vital. This paper explores how environmental factors, including delivery method and nutrition, shape the gut microbiome’s devel- opment in early life. In addition, it discusses their long-term health implications. The paper highlights how the mode of delivery significantly affects initial microbial colonization. Vaginal births promote a microbial community that is rich in beneficial …

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Emily A. Patton

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This is a masters Thesis for MS in Environmental Biology containing four chapters including a literature review, grant proposal, journal manuscript, and stakeholders report on a current environmental issue. (1) Noise Pollution and Avian Communication in Urban Ecosystems: When the Natural World Struggles to Hear Itself. Urban noise masks essential bird vocalizations, which harms avian fitness. Most species are displaced, and those few urban birds which counteract this noise with song adaptations likely experience trade-offs. America's noise policy remains undeveloped, threatening the health of both humans and avian wildlife (2) Application of Noise Barrier Technology for the Restoration of Urban …

Components Of Evolutionary Psychology Are Falsifiable, But Does That Make It A Good Theory? Commentary On Costello Et Al. (2025), David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

At the center of narrow evolutionary psychology’s theory lies the assumption that many human behavioral mechanisms evolved via natural selection. Although some components of this theory are falsifiable, its Lakatosian framework protects its core assumptions from falsifiability, even though most human behaviors probably do not require evolutionary explanations. Crucially, falsifiability is a necessary but insufficient quality of a good scientific theory, and the value of narrow evolutionary psychology (NEP) can be questioned on other grounds. NEP holds that only natural selection can create complex, functional adaptations, but natural selection is not a creative force; this process merely functions as a …

Digital Vs. In-Person Interaction: Preventing Suicide In Autistic And Socially Anxious Populations, Jacob Griffin, Jared Nielson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2025

Introduction: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and the third leading cause of death for individuals from 15 to 29-year-olds world-wide (Suicide Data and Statistics, 2024; World Health Organization: WHO, 2024). As prevalent as suicide is among general populations, statistics have shown that the risk is even greater among certain groups such as autistic populations and socially anxious populations. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder which affects communication, behavior, and learning abilities (Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2024). One study reported that individuals with ASD were almost three times more likely to …

Frequency-Specific Training Of Vor Generalization In Mice, Natalie Dietrich, J, Mckeon, I. Phillips, Trace Stay

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2025

The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) is a critical neural mechanism allowing the eye to stabilize vision during head movements by generating compensatory eye movements. The VOR can be adapted to make larger or smaller eye movements for the same amount of head movement by associating head movement with rotation of a visual field at a specific frequency The change in Serial = Sum of Sines Serial ≠ Sum of Sines Training frequencies change but no generalization occurs eye movement at one frequency of head rotation also induces smaller magnitude changes in eye movement at closely-related frequencies, a process termed generalization. It …

Understanding The Individual Behavioral Variation Of Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus) As An Indicator Of Human Elephant Conflict, Julia Brzezicki

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) is an increasingly common event that arises from resource competition due to overlaps in human and elephant environments. Using a conservation behavior approach, the behaviors of elephants can be studied to enhance conservation efforts to mitigate HEC by better predicting which elephants engage in HEC. To understand the factors that affect individual behavioral types of adult Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), my project examined the behavioral patterns displayed by an elephant population in Sri Lanka. I collected demographic and behavioral data of a subset of 15 adult elephants to determine individual differences in five behavioral categories: Affiliation, aggression, …

Can Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters Predict State Anxiety?, Stephanie M. Cotariu, Ashlyn M. Jendro, Yale B. Hughes, Abigail C. Schmitt

2025 Honors Symposium

Background: Anxiety is one of the most experienced mental health disorders. Recent research has suggested a relationship between gait parameters and anxiety, however the disparity in measurement methodologies of both anxiety and gait makes it difficult to draw broad conclusions. Better understanding the relationship between anxiety and gait mechanics creates opportunity for a more holistic understanding of the interaction between mental health, functional capacity, and quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate if spatiotemporal gait parameters measured on a pressure-sensing walkway are related to anxiety.

Understanding Injury Risk In Female College Dancers: The Interplay Of Mobility And Strength, Audrey Clark

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

INTRODUCTION: Female college dancers present a unique set of demands that contribute to a risk of injury different from other sports. Two of the primary physical demands of dance, mobility and strength, are also known risk factors for non contact injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mobility, strength, and non contact injuries in female college dancers and add to the current gap in literature. METHODS: Participants (n=10) completed an injury history, hand-grip assessment, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), and monthly follow up injury surveys during the duration of the study. Means, standard deviations, correlations, and …

The Effects Of Cold Immersion On Motor Consolidation, Manly Barksdale

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Several physiological mechanisms elicited by exercise have been shown to enhance the encoding of newly learned motor skills. Cold water immersion (CWI) of at least 14°C (57.2°F), a common recovery tactic following exercise, can elicit the upregulation of similar mechanisms (lactate, norepinephrine, and epinephrine). However, little research has explored a relationship between CWI and motor learning. Therefore, the primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of moderate-duration head-out CWI (HCWI) on motor learning measured via Esports tracking task (ETT) and to compare the results to an exercise (EXS) and control (CON) group. Twenty-nine, right-handed, apparently healthy adults …

"Dental Health For Mental Wealth": A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Underexplored Impact Of Oral Health And Behaviors On Neurobiology And Psychological Well-Being, Brooke C. Beck

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis explores the link between oral health and psychological state, specifically, the effect of oral health on psychological state and how appropriate oral health impacts this relationship. A review of the literature was conducted and studies interpreted within the scope of oral health’s impact on psychological health and detailing some of the pathways proposed for such a link. The literature search was limited to the English language from well-known databases mainly from 2015 to 2025. A few outliers are present to include foundational information.

The effects of oral disease and oral self-care behaviors were dissected through a biochemical perspective, …