Digital Commons Network^™

Quality Improvement Project: Impact Of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction On Nurse Burnout In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Chinenye Okafor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Burnout is a persistent and critical problem in skilled nursing facilities, contributing to reduced job satisfaction, increased turnover, and compromised quality of care. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on burnout among registered nurses in a skilled nursing facility. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources framework and Lewin’s Change Theory, a quantitative pretest–posttest design was implemented using the Plan–Do–Study–Act. Ten nurses consented to participate in an eight-week intervention, and four completed both pre- and post-intervention measures. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services …

Quality Improvement Project: Improving Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates Through Provider Education In Primary Care, Leikasha Allen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Pneumococcal disease remains a major cause of illness and mortality among adults aged 65 years and older, leading to severe pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis, particularly in vulnerable populations. Although effective vaccines and clear Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Advisory Committee Immunization Practice (ACIP) guidelines, vaccination in this age group remains inadequate. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to determine the impact of pneumococcal vaccination compliance through evaluating provider knowledge, confidence, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines through targeted education. Guided by Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the Health Belief Model, a 20-minute evidence‑based educational session …

Improving Diabetes Care: Staff Training On Updated Ada Guidelines, Jeffrey Wilson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The incidence of diabetes is rising, requiring clinical staff to stay current with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care. A lack of knowledge and outdated practices were revealed during the needs assessment at the project site. This quality improvement (QI) project sought to determine whether ADA‑centered educational training could impact staff members' knowledge of diabetes. Orem’s Self‑Care Deficit Nursing Theory and Lewin’s Change Theory served as the theoretical frameworks to promote provider competence and adherence to evidence‑based diabetes treatment. Quasi‑experimental pre–post design was used with a convenience sample of four clinical staff at a rural outpatient clinic. Study …

Standardizing Patient-Centered And Trauma-Informed Communication Practices Among Staff In A Behavioral Health Setting, Jayla Brown

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the effect of an evidence-based educational intervention on staff attitudes toward trauma-informed and patient-centered communication in an outpatient behavioral health clinic. Guided by Lewin’s Change Theory and Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, the project aimed to improve staff knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in applying trauma-informed communication strategies across all clinic roles. An eight-week educational intervention based on the SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Care Toolkit was implemented for clinical and administrative staff. A quantitative pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was used, with outcomes measured using an adapted Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care scale. All …

Staff Education To Improve Psychiatric Nurses’ Use Of Evidence-Based Strategies For Supporting Medication Adherence In Outpatient Settings, Lilian Ndifon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychiatric medication nonadherence remains a persistent barrier to effective outpatient mental health care and contributes to relapse, rehospitalization, and disrupted continuity of care. In outpatient psychiatric settings, nurses are often responsible for patient education and follow-up, yet many lack formal training in evidence-based strategies to support medication adherence. This staff education project was implemented at an outpatient psychiatric facility to address this practice gap. The practice-focused question asked whether a structured staff education intervention would improve outpatient psychiatric nurses’ knowledge of evidence-based medication adherence strategies. Twelve outpatient psychiatric nurses participated in a one-hour educational session focused on motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, …

"The Only Place I Feel Understood": A Mixed Methods Survey Of Adolescent And Caregiver Perspectives On Social Media And Parental Controls

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose

Methods

Results

Quality Improvement Project: Empowering Nurses And Medical Assistants To Improve Medication Adherence: A Screening-Based Quality Improvement Initiative, Maria Garcia

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Medication nonadherence is a persistent challenge in clinical settings that negatively influences patient outcomes and is often driven by cost, access, and patient-related barriers, as widely documented in the literature. Nurses and medical assistants play a critical role in identifying these barriers; however, inconsistent screening and limited staff confidence may hinder intervention. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of implementing the Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) on staff confidence in addressing medication adherence and to assess clinic-wide utilization of the tool. The project was guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and Lewin’s Change …

The Role Of Fkbp51 In The Regulation Of Reproductive Aging And Prenatal Stress-Impaired Ovarian Function And Development, Monica C. Moore

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is an immunophilin that acts as a co-chaperone with heat shock protein 90 that negatively regulates transcriptional activity of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and progesterone receptor (PR), and FKBP51 levels are increased by stress conditions. Our previous studies demonstrate that Fkbp5 gene depletion was protective against maternal re-strained stress-induced preterm birth (PTB), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and maternal stress-induced age-related decline in live births. We hypothesize that FKBP51 contributes to impaired ovarian development and folliculogenesis induced by prenatal stress (PNS). Timed-pregnant Fkbp5+/+ (wild-type) and Fkbp5−/− (knockout) mice were randomly assigned to either the undis-turbed (nonstress) or PNS …

Staff Education To Reduce Compassion Fatigue In Acute Care Staff Nurses, Kamala C. Mcgee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue (CF), burnout, and moral distress are common in high-acuity nursing environments, yet nurses are rarely taught how to recognize or manage these challenges. The guiding question for this staff education project was about whether education focused on CF and mindfulness-based coping strategies would improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes in an acute care VA medical center. Posteducation results (n = 20) showed meaningful, statistically significant improvements. Familiarity with CF increased from baseline (M = 2.35; SD = 1.04) to post implementation (M = 3.75; SD = .91), t(19) = −5.085, p < .001. Confidence in recognizing CF in oneself improved from baseline (M = 2.6; SD = .875) to post implementation (M = 3.60; SD = .821), p = .004. Confidence in recognizing CF in colleagues increased from baseline (M = 2.40; SD = .821) to postimplementation (M = 3.15; SD = .671), p = .012. Agreement that seeking help is a sign of weakness decreased from baseline (M = 2.00; SD = .503) to postimplementation (M = 1.40; SD = .951), p = .024. Although perceptions of organizational support did not change, nurses reported greater use of mindfulness, peer support, and boundary setting, supporting nurse wellbeing and psychological safety. Several recommendations emerge from this project. CF education should be integrated into routine staff development, annual competencies, and onboarding for new nurses. By reducing stigma around seeking help and promoting peer awareness, this work supports fostering a workplace culture where all nurses feel safe, supported, and valued, a positive social change.

Safety And Feasibility During Early Implementation Of Robotic-Assisted Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Dung Thuong Ho, Manh Cuong Nguyen, Tran Tran Nguyen, Long Tran, Huy Nguyen, Dil Mai, Tuong Mien Ngo, Duc Chinh Nguyen, Chi Cuong Tran, Khiem D. Ngo

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Robotic-assisted Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (R-PCI) is an advanced technique offering potential advantages for both patients and interventional cardiology practices. In 2023, Can Tho S.I.S General Hospital implemented its first robotic system for PCI procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes during the early learning curve of R-PCI.

Methods: This prospective study included all patients undergoing R-PCI with the CorPath GRX Vascular Robotic System at Can Tho S.I.S General Hospital from April to September 2023. Baseline patient characteristics, procedural details, and six-month follow-up data were collected. Primary outcomes included Clinical Success, defined as < 30% residual diameter stenosis in the target vessel without major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization (e.g., death, myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization, stroke), and robotic success, defined as achieving clinical success with partial manual support or no manual support.

Results: Thirty-one patients …

Feasibility, Acceptability And Implementation Of A Whole-Family Mental Health Intervention For Displaced Adolescent Girls In Colombia: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Ilana Seff, Arturo Harker Roa, Byron Powell, Natalia Cordoba, Carolina Rodriguez, Julianne Deitch, Elvia Tamaity Ariza Pena, Feven Gebrekidan, Lindsay Stark

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Adolescent girls affected by displacement face substantial mental-health risks. The Sibling Support for Adolescent Girls in Emergencies (SSAGE) is a 12-week, gender-transformative, family-based program designed to improve adolescent girls' mental health in humanitarian settings. This mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed SSAGE's feasibility, acceptability and potential effects among 186 Venezuelan migrant and Colombian returnee families in Colombia. Adolescent girls aged 13-19 years, their male siblings and caregivers participated in parallel sessions on gender dynamics, communication and relationships. Implementation outcomes drew on the Mental Health Implementation Science Tools (acceptability and feasibility subscales), attendance records and qualitative interviews. Analyses followed an …

Sociodemographic Influences On Student-Athlete Eating Disorder Risk And Treatment-Seeking Behavior In The National College Health Assessment, Savannah Hughbanks, Andrew W. Froehle, Brian A. Edwards

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Objective: The present study was developed to explicate attributes associated with increased likelihood of disordered eating behaviors and treatment avoidance and help practitioners better-identify and assist high-risk individuals.

Participants: Varsity athletes (n=51,882) who completed the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) between 2011 and 2019.

Methods: Data was collected from survey responses to questions related to disordered eating behaviors. Disorders were cross-sectioned into eight predictors: year in school, gender, sexual-orientation, race/ethnicity, school-type, international-student, history of mental health illness, and anxiety of impending academic performance.

Results: Two percent of the student-athletes self-reported an ED diagnosis, and within those two percent 65.9% reported …

Optimizing Patient Adherence Through Improved Technology-Based Communication By Enhancing Staff Efficiency At An Opiate Treatment Program Clinic, Jennifer Parsons

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

High rates of missed appointments and unreliable follow-up remain a problem in outpatient opioid treatment clinics. This project improved the communication workflow at a methadone maintenance clinic by strengthening reminder systems and staff coordination. A needs assessment found several problems: appointment reminders were inconsistent, tracking was unreliable, and staff communication often relied on manual handoffs. The project was to test a technology-based workflow designed to improve staff communication and reduce missed appointments. The Technology Acceptance Model and Lewin’s Change Theory guided the change. The clinic implemented automated reminders, secure messaging, and clearer documentation to support daily communication. A pre-post evaluation …

Navigating (M)Otherhood: Perception, Practice, & Policy Of Adolescent Pregnancy In The North Coast Of Perú, Mahir Rahman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

“It’s a vicious circle”, the obstetricians of Huanchaco repeated time and time again after discussing a recently pregnant 13-year-old girl who had just moved to the North Coast of Perú. Adolescent pregnancy is an extremely stigmatized topic in global maternal and child health discourse. Pregnant adolescents are subject to educational policy, clinical protocol, and community practice. While global scholarship emphasizes adolescent pregnancy prevention, limited scholarship focuses on the conditions in which adolescent pregnancy is perceived, discussed, and managed. More importantly, these perspectives are even less documented amongst the North Coast of Perú.

This thesis serves as an ethnographic exploration of …

A Comparative Analysis Of Maladaptive Perfectionism In Male And Female Competitive Bodybuilders, Maddox B. Utter, Christian O. Quintero, Samantha S. Dardaman, Stephen E. Rowden, Scott B. Martin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Bodybuilding is a sport focused on physique optimization, where success is determined by judges’ evaluations of muscle mass, symmetry, and definition. Due to the sport’s emphasis of physical aesthetics, bodybuilders may feel the need to compare themselves with other competitors. This evaluation and comparison of physique may expose athletes to maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies, such as setting unattainably high standards, excessive worry over mistakes, and a diminished sense of competence. While current bodybuilding literature is limited, previous research suggests that perfectionism may lead to psychological impairments (e.g., body dysmorphia, anxiety, and reduced self-confidence) which may manifest differently between male and female …

Prep Monitoring, Coaching Presence, And Competitive Anxiety In Bodybuilders, Rafael E. Cachutt, Samantha S. Dardaman, Christian O. Quintero, Stephen E. Rowden, Maddox B. Utter, Scott B. Martin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Competitive bodybuilding involves severe dietary restriction, high training demands, and constant evaluation of physique-related outcomes. Within the sport, it is common for competitors to engage in intensive prep monitoring behaviors such as tracking caloric intake and training load to support contest preparation. As contest prep practices may tax attentional resources and disrupt emotional regulation of competitors, some athletes utilize formal coaching to assist with performance monitoring while others engage in self-coaching strategies. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine sport anxiety levels amongst competitive bodybuilders who engage in prep monitoring behaviors. Additionally, the contribution of coaching presence was …

The Role Of Attentional Focus In Ergometer Rowing Performance, Ana C. Morales Elizondo, Tatiana Zhuravleva

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The effects of internal attentional cues versus external attentional cues have produced inconclusive findings regarding which attentional cue is more beneficial (Newmann, et al. 2020). Recent research has found a holistic approach that improves performance and learning in discrete tasks like vertical jumps; however, it has not been investigated with continuous tasks like rowing. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of internal, external, and holistic attentional cues on ergometer rowing performance. METHODS: Thirty-seven participants performed a six-minute ergometer rowing task across three different sessions, with at least 48 hours between each session, in a counterbalanced …

How Self-Talk Affects Performance Among Ncaa Division Iii Female Athletes, Micah Rabey, Briannah Mejias, Giana Hilliard, Cambryn Holloway, Matt Robinson, Kristen Mcalexander

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Self-talk alters mental toughness, emotional control, and behavioral reactions, and can affect an athlete’s cognitive and psychological condition throughout training, competition, and practice. Few studies have examined the role of self-talk specifically among female athletes and no known study has measured its effects among female athletes at the NCAA Division III level. PURPOSE: Examine how NCAA Division III female student athletes describe the role of self-talk in their athletic performance and identify specific ways they perceive self-talk, its functions during training and competition, and its impact on focus, motivation, confidence, and overall performance. METHODS: In the Fall of 2025, modified …

Preliminary Data On The Effect Of Exercise Time Of Day In Sedentary Young Adult Females, Autum Andrusick, Julia Martin, Robyn T. Whitehead, Malcolm T. Whitehead

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Research studies investigating the time of day that individuals engage in exercise have not specifically targeted sedentary females or their preferred time of day to engage in exercise. Previously published studies have implemented cohorts that include both males and females and/or have focused on hormonal influences and daily patterns. Perceived energy and activation levels (for example: active, calm, and sleepy) have yet to be investigated as determinants of exercise time of day preference factors. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine if exercise time of day effects mood in sedentary adult females. METHODS: Eight females aged 23 ± …

Does Perceived Competence And Practice Type Influence Motor Performance In Softball Pitchers Developing A New Pitch Type?, Anthony W. Fava, Matthew Miller, Emily Sauers, Gretchen Oliver

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Competence-based motivation frameworks use perceived self-confidence (PSC) to explain performance outcomes. Although PSC has been associated with improved performance on fundamental motor skills, PSC can also be task specific and may change depending on particular contexts within a sport. PURPOSE: To assess whether PSC influenced motor performance in softball pitchers developing a new pitch type under two different practice types. METHODS: Fifty adolescent-aged softball pitchers participated. Pitchers were randomly assigned into two practice types: Constraints-led Approach (CLA), (14.9±1.2y,64.8±10.1kg,1.69±0.1m), and Traditional (Trad), (14.5±1.0y, 65.4±11.4kg, 1.67±0.1m). Recruited pitchers indicated the drop ball (DB) was not their ‘go-to’ pitch nor was …

Psychological And Physiological Effects Of Acute Cold Exposure Following Bouts Of Intense Exercise, Blake E. Wright, Leroy Bolden, Cory Smith, Andrew Gallucci

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Background: Thermal strain results from extreme temperature exposures and is common among athletes that create conflicting physiological responses. However, little is known on how rapidly shifting the body from a heat-dissipating to a heat-conserving state impacts human physiologically and psychologically. Purpose: To assess the physiological and psychological effects of thermal strain on collegiate football players.  Methods: 18 Division I collegiate football players (19.72y ± 1.36) participated in the study during one full contact practice in the spring semester. Participants reported to the athletic training room 15-minutes before practice to have a Zephyr sensor placed in the midaxillary line. Participants also …

Pre-Exercise Positive Mood Affect Predicts Blunted Lymphocyte Mobilization And Faster Recovery After Acute Exercise (Caare Secondary Analysis), Arman M. Rasti, Melissa Markofski

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Acute exercise mobilizes lymphocytes and monocytes into circulation and alters cortisol, but it is not known whether psychological states before exercise shape immune responses in adults, or whether cortisol mediates any associations between mood and immune mobilization. PURPOSE: To test whether baseline affect and total mood disturbance (TMD) predict lymphocyte/monocyte mobilization and 1-h recovery after aerobic training (AT) and resistance training (RT), whether they predict cortisol responses, and whether cortisol mediates mood–immune links. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, complete crossover study in which adults completed both an AT and a RT session. Composite affect …

Mediating Factors Of Exercise Identity And Perceived Stress, Cydni M. Miller, Kameron Sanders, Jada Mendoza, Brooke Walsh, Jasmine Hamilton

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

As we continue to traverse influences of the post COVID-19 public health environment, there have been noted effects associated with mental and physical health. Stress and anxiety can lead to burnout and have negative physical effects on the body. Research indicated that increases in exercise participation may reduce burnout among college students (Chen et al., 2022). For college students, access to resources such as recreational centers may help to alleviate the negative effects of anxiety. Physical activity has also been shown to improve the relationship between self-image and esteem (Gan & Jiang, 2024). PURPOSE: This study sought to explore the …

The Influence Of Music And Social Interaction On Physiological Responses And Perceived Enjoyment During Hiit And Bfr Performance, Martha Villanueva, Gabriela Segura, Francisco Almaguer, Marco Arriaga, Ulku Karabulut, Sue Anne Chew, Murat Karabulut

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

While exercise is essential for health, motivational barriers often limit regular participation in exercise. This study investigated strategies to enhance exercise engagement by examining the impact of music and social interaction. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of music and social interaction on hemodynamic, perceptual, and neuroendocrine responses during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and blood flow restriction (BFR) training. METHODS: Twenty recreationally active adults (age=22.5 ± 2.3 years) completed a randomized within-participant study involving five sessions: a familiarization, individual HIIT (HIIT-I), group HIIT (HIIT-G), individual BFR (BFR-I), and group BFR (BFR-G). Sessions consisted of whole-body exercises. Researchers recorded heart …

Differences In Sport Performance Anxiety Between Male And Female Competitive Bodybuilders, Christian O. Quintero, Samantha S. Dardaman, Stephen E. Rowden, Rafael E. Cachutt, Scott B. Martin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

In the sport of bodybuilding, high pressures for perfect performances cultivate extreme levels of restriction and discipline in the domains of eating behaviors, physical training, and aesthetic presentation. These pressures potentially put competitive bodybuilders at risk for anxiety. However, research regarding performance anxiety remains limited in bodybuilding literature. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the differences in sport performance anxiety between male and female bodybuilders. METHODS: Competitive bodybuilders (N = 283; 106 females, 176 males) between the ages of 19 and 68 years old (M = 34.75, SD = 9.83) were recruited to …

Sex Differences In Cognitive Stability: Response Variability Following Acute High-Intensity Functional Training, Mason Northam, Yu Lun Tai, Jeremy Abshire, Kelvin Wu, Gary Guerra

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Acute exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function such as inhibitory control, with aerobic and resistance exercises yielding significant benefits. High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), such as CrossFit®, combines high-intensity, multi-joint movements and has shown promise in improving working memory. However, its acute effects on inhibitory control, particularly regarding potential sex differences, remain unclear. PURPOSE: This study investigated the acute effects of a single CrossFit®-based HIFT session on inhibitory control in healthy young adults and examined potential sex differences in response execution. METHODS: Eighteen healthy college students (8 females, 10 males) completed two counterbalanced sessions: (1) HIFT exercise consisting of …

Effect Of Menstrual Cycle On Lower-Body Power Output In Active College-Aged Women, Peyton Schmidt, Taylor Vannett, Erika Short

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The menstrual cycle is a normal physiological process that may influence physical and psychological performance in women. Many women report feeling less powerful during their menstrual cycle, which may affect athletic performance.  PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the menstrual cycle affects lower-body power output in active college-aged women.  METHODS: Twenty active women (18–25 years; M = 20.35 ± 1.98) participated in this study. All participants experienced regular menstrual cycles and were recreationally active or competitive athletes. Testing was conducted in the Texas Lutheran University Kinesiology Lab using a Biodex Dynamometer. After signing an informed consent, …

Association Of Body Mass Index With Gait Dynamics And Fall Risk In College Students, Diego Diaz-Vega, Heontae Kim, Ho Han, Jungyu Lee

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: Although falls are typically associated with older adults, identifying early indicators of fall risk among young populations may help prevent future mobility decline. Because body mass index (BMI) is a modifiable factor that can influence balance and gait stability, understanding its role in early fall risk is important. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine differences in fall risk and gait characteristics across BMI categories in college students. METHODS: Fifteen college students participated in this study and were classified into normal, overweight, or obese groups according to BMI. Fall risk was assessed using the Fall Risk Assessment …

Enhancing Dispositional Mindfulness And Emotion Regulation In Youth Athletes Via A Breathwork And Visualization Intervention, Imare Tasby, Louis Hein, Rene Barbier, Kenia Gonzalez, Mei-Jing Ang, Sven Hoekstra, Kelvin Wu

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Competitive youth sports impose significant psychological demands, often leading to stress and maladaptive emotional regulation. Dispositional mindfulness protects against burnout, yet practical interventions for youth athletes are scarce. Breathwork and visualization offer a physiological gateway to emotional control, but their efficacy in this population is unclear. PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of a 12-week breathwork and visualization intervention on dispositional mindfulness and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal vs. expressive suppression) in adolescent soccer players. METHODS: Twenty-seven athletes were initially recruited from Soccer Central San Antonio. Following 5 dropouts (1 intervention, 4 control), a final sample of 22 participants …

The Effect Of A 12-Week Breathwork And Visualization Intervention On Inhibitory Control And Cognitive Flexibility In Adolescent Soccer Players, Louis Hein, Jace Nicolet, Tiffany Gomez, Mei-Jing Ang, Sven Hoekstra, Kelvin C. Wu

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Cognitive inhibition and flexibility are essential for soccer performance, enabling players to adapt to dynamic environments. However, accumulated season fatigue often degrades these executive functions. The Neurovisceral Integration Model posits that prefrontal cognitive function is linked to cardiac vagal tone, suggesting that autonomic regulation may support inhibitory control. While breathwork is known to enhance autonomic regulation, its potential to preserve cognitive function in youth athletes is untested. PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of a 12-week breathwork and visualization protocol on inhibitory control (Stroop) and cognitive flexibility (Task-Switching) in adolescent soccer players. METHODS: Athletes were recruited from Soccer Central San …