Digital Commons Network^™

A037: Necessity Of Moderate Exercise For High School Girls During Menstruation, Meng Zheng

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

To challenge the traditional belief that girls should not exercise during their menstrual period, this study aims to propose appropriate ways for high school girls to engage in sports during menstruation, enhance their overall health, and foster good exercise habits and a correct sports concept. Method: The literature method was employed, utilizing databases such as China Knowledge Network, Google Scholar, and Wanfang to search for relevant studies using keywords like “girls”, “physical exercise”, “sports participation”, and “physical activity”. This helped understand the current research status. Books were also consulted to provide analytical methods and theoretical foundations. The questionnaire method investigated …

A045: Research On Enhancing Physical Education In Universities Under The "Three Comprehensive Educations", Zhanpeng Xue

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

"Three-Wide Education" is an important concept for colleges in the new era to implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. As an essential component of higher education, college physical education plays a unique role in promoting students' physical and mental health, cultivating well-rounded personalities, and shaping correct values. However, current college physical education still faces issues such as prioritizing skills over moral education, monotonous teaching content and methods, and an imperfect evaluation system, which hinder the full realization of its educational function. Therefore, exploring the effectiveness enhancement path of college physical education under the "Three-Wide Education" framework is …

A046: Vr/Ar In Sports Science: Enhancing Performance And Rehabilitation, Yan Peng, Lan Zheng, Yixuan Li

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are immersive technologies reshaping sports science by enhancing training, rehabilitation, and spectator experiences. VR creates simulated environments, while AR superimposes digital elements onto real-world contexts. Despite their growing adoption, systematic evaluations of their efficacy in sports remain sparse. This study examines peer-reviewed evidence (2015–2024) to assess VR/AR applications in athlete skill development, injury recovery, and tactical coaching, while identifying research gaps and practical challenges. A systematic review of 52 studies (2015–2024) was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore. Inclusion criteria prioritized experimental or mixed methods designs with measurable outcomes. Participants included elite/professional …

A073: Exercise And Artificial Intelligence: Prediction And Prevention Of Sports Injury Based On Big Data, Zekai Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The incidence of sports-related injuries continues to rise, yet traditional prevention strategies, such as empirical training modifications and static biomechanical assessments, exhibit significant limitations in dynamic risk prediction and personalized intervention. This study aims to leverage the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies to establish a dynamic, precise system for sports injury prediction and prevention, thereby reducing injury rates and enhancing rehabilitation strategies. A comprehensive sports injury feature database was developed by integrating multi-source data, including physiological parameters collected from wearable devices, biomechanical data from video motion capture systems, and clinical rehabilitation records. Machine learning algorithms, including …

A140: Kinetic Comparison Of Weightlifting Pulling Derivatives With Different Starting Positions, Junhao Chen, Junlin Tian, Songgula Jumaali, Yuduo Liu, Xianglin Wan

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Weightlifting movements have been shown to provide a superior training stimulus for force and power development. Among these, Weightlifting pulling derivatives (WPDs) without the catch phase may generate superior kinetic stimulation compared to the full weightlifting movements. Previous studies have confirmed that the starting position significantly affects the peak vertical ground reaction forces (Fz), peak rate of force development (RFD), and peak power of the weightlifting derivatives with the catch phase. However, the influence of starting position on WPDs is still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to compare the kinetic performance differences of WPDs with different starting positions to optimize …

A153: Rehabilitation Research On Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Pfps) In Female Judo Athletes, Lening Wan, Zihan Yuan, Zhen Li, Yongchao Xie, Lei Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a prevalent knee disorder among athletes, known for its high incidence rate and propensity to progress into chronic conditions. Female athletes are more vulnerable due to inherent hip-knee muscle imbalances and aberrant movement patterns. Unfortunately, dedicated rehabilitation studies focusing on female judo athletes remain scarce. This research aims to alleviate PFPS symptoms by implementing core and functional training regimens and to analyze the significance of hip-knee muscle balance in the recovery process. Sixteen female judo athletes from the Henan Heavy Combat Sports Management Center, diagnosed with PFPS, were randomly into an experimental group (n=8) and …

A198: Virtual Reality And Tennis Skills Training: Match Simulation, Real-Time Feedback, And Comprehensive Assessment, Menghan Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study examined the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) technology in enhancing tennis skill training, with an emphasis on three pivotal aspects: competition simulation, real-time feedback, and comprehensive assessment. As technological advancements continue to permeate sports training, VR presents novel opportunities for augmenting athletic performance by facilitating more engaging and effective training methodologies. Employing a systematic review of the extant literature, our research identified key components of VR that beneficially impact tennis training. This exploration includes the application of VR in generating immersive competition simulations, offering immediate and personalized feedback, and conducting extensive evaluations utilizing artificial intelligence and big data …

A211: Ai-Driven Strategic Frameworks For Sport Event Propagation Under Media Affordance Theory, Wenqian Yao, Jingwang Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The advancement of intelligent technology has transformed interaction models across communication ecosystems, encompassing production, dissemination, and consumption. Exemplified by the Paris Olympics’ 180+ intelligent communication domains, “AI + Sports” has emerged as an industry paradigm. This study employs media affordance theory to analyze AI’s transformative role in sports communication and associated ethical challenges, offering insights for cultivating a robust digital sports ecosystem. Method: This study investigates the application pathways of artificial intelligence in 20 major sports events held between 2000 and 2024. Data on application frequency, audience feedback, and other relevant metrics w collected to analyze the impact patterns of …

A208: Application Of Artificial Intelligence In Posture Correction, Jiaqi Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

In the modern fast-paced life, poor postures are extremely common, leading to many health problems such as neck pain and back pain. Posture correction is of great significance for maintaining physical health, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has opened a new path for posture correction. Posture correction means using specific means to restore and maintain the correct body posture. This study aims to systematically review the application of AI in the field of posture correction, clarify its advantages, limitations, and future development trends. A comprehensive search was carried out in domestic and foreign authoritative databases for research …

A218: Efficacy Of Kinesio Tape For Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Tingting Mo, Xinlong Zhang, Shilun Hou

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults and is a very common musculoskeletal system disorder. The incidence of plantar fasciitis is relatively high among sports enthusiasts, especially those involved in high-intensity, high-impact sports. Kinesio tape has the functions of relieving pain, correcting muscle function, and increasing body sensation. Currently, kinesio tape has been gradually applied to the treatment of the disease, but its effectiveness is unclear. The aim of this review is to assess how kinesio tape interventions affect pain and ankle and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. PubMed, Scopus, Web …

Protocol For The Development Of The Who Gestational Weight Gain Charts, Thais Rangel Bousquet Carrilho, Olufemi Taiwo Oladapo, Jennifer A. Hutcheon, Giovanna Gatica-Domínquez, Kathleen M. Rasmussen, Monica C. Flores-Urrutia, Richard Kumapley, Ӧzge Tunçalp, Dang Bahya-Batinda, Amel A. Fayed, Annick Bogaerts, Aris T. Papageorghiou, Cinthya Muñoz-Manrique, Dayana Rodrigues Farias, Eric Ohuma, Harshpal Sachdev, Hayfaa A. Wahabi, Helena J. Teede, Molin Wang, Nandita Perumal Phd

Faculty Publications

Introduction Gestational weight gain (GWG) is an important indicator of maternal nutrition to be monitored during pregnancy. However, there is no evidence-based tool that can be used to monitor it across all geographic locations and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) categories. The WHO is undertaking a project to develop GWG charts by pre-pregnancy BMI category, and to identify GWG ranges associated with the lowest risks of adverse maternal and infant outcomes. This protocol describes all the steps that will be used to accomplish the development of these GWG charts.

Methods and analysis This project will involve the analysis of individual …

Unseen But Felt: Exploring The Emotional And Developmental Impacts Of Father Absence On The Lives Of African American Daughters, Michelle Laniece Mayberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of African American daughters who grew up with absent fathers, examining how this experience influenced development, relationships, identity formation, and resilience. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, six central themes emerged: (1) father-daughter relationship, (2) emotional and psychological impact, (3) identity and development, (4) social and relational outcomes, (5) decision-making and achievement, and (6) resilience and adaptation. Each theme was interpreted through the lens of attachment and social learning theories with a biblical worldview. The findings revealed that father absence often left emotional and developmental wounds in the lives of the participants. The …

Factors Influencing Sugary Drink Consumption Among Residential Students At Liberty University, Chinonso Felistas Eziechi

Masters Theses

Introduction/Background: Sugary drink consumption among college students remains a public health concern due to its association with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Despite high awareness of health risks, consumption among emerging adults remains elevated. Guided by the Social Cognitive Theory, this study examined the psychosocial, behavioral, and environmental determinants of sugary drink consumption among residential students at Liberty University. Objective: To identify key predictors of sugary drink consumption and evaluate how expectations, self-regulation, and environmental factors shape beverage behaviors. Design, Setting, Participants: This cross-sectional study used an anonymous Qualtrics survey distributed on campus. Of approximately 745 eligible residential students, 473 …

Respiratory Health And Environmental Risks Among California Children: The Role Of Socioeconomic Status, Wen Chieh Chia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Air pollution has been cited as a factor in the development of respiratory illness in children. Socioeconomic differences can intensify the effects of air pollution exposure on low-income children compared to higher-income children. This correlational study examined the relationship between air pollution exposure and respiratory health outcomes among California children, as well as the moderating role of socioeconomic status. The study was guided by the environmental health disparities framework and used secondary data from the California Environmental Health Tracking Program, analyzing data from 49 California counties (n = 49). Independent variables were PM2.5 concentrations and the number of ozone …

Genomics Reveal Staphylococcus Aureus Persists During Long-Term Urinary Catheterization Despite Antimicrobial Therapy And Catheter Exchanges, Jesus M Duran Ramirez, Chelsie E Armbruster, Blake M Hanson, Jennifer N Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Urinary catheters, the most frequently placed medical devices in the US, increase the risk of developing symptomatic catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) - the presence of bacteria in the urine - with those requiring long-term urinary catheters (LTUCs) at highest risk. While ASB and CAUTI are caused by a broad range of uropathogens, most remain understudied. We use whole-genome sequencing to investigate the understudied uropathogen, Staphylococcus aureus. Analysis of 153 longitudinal S. aureus isolates previously collected from urinary catheter or urine samples from 20 individuals with LTUCs (average of 8 longitudinal isolates/person) demonstrates that most strains …

Broad Laboratory Testing Does Not Show Utility For Telogen Effluvium: A Retrospective Analysis Of 22-Million Laboratory Results Using Trinetx, Zachary J.K. Neubauer, Shari R. Lipner

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

No abstract provided.

Trends In The Implementation Of The Cyberchondria Severity Scale: Bibliometric Analysis, Adam C Powell, Cayetana Calderon-Smith

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cyberchondria, a combination of the words "cyber" and "hypochondriasis," is a condition that is receiving increasing attention from clinicians and researchers globally. Researchers are currently using multiple instruments to quantify it. Furthermore, the instruments have been translated into multiple languages.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the extent to which researchers are measuring cyberchondria using the 33-item Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) and its 12-item abbreviated version, the CSS-12. It also examined the relative use of cyberchondria instruments in different languages.

METHODS: PubMed and PsycInfo were searched for articles published between May 1, 2019, and December 31, 2024, featuring the …

Does Adding An Interbody Cage In L4–L5 Posterolateral Fusion For Degenerative Spondylolisthesis And Stenosis Improve Clinical Outcome?, Enrico Aimar, Lucrezia Di Stefano, Federico Longhitano, Alberto Bona, Marco Meloni, Tommaso Alfiero, Federica Valente, Roberta Bonomo, Giulio Bonomo, Flavio Tancioni, Guglielmo Iess

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: As the population ages, L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis is increasingly common. Posterolateral fusion was long standard; interbody cages are widely used for perceived higher fusion rates.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does adding an interbody cage to posterolateral fusion improve outcomes or reduce complications in elderly patients with grade I spondylolisthesis and severe stenosis?

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 319 adults aged 60-85 who underwent single-level L4-L5 fusion (2011-2018) after failed conservative care. Patients received posterior lumbar fusion (PLIF, n = 155) or posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF, n = 164). Primary outcomes were Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) change and complications over a …

Nurse-Led Interventions To Reduce Occupational Hand Injuries In Manufacturing, Patti Harter

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Occupational hand injuries cause preventable morbidity, lost productivity, and workers’ compensation costs in manufacturing. Although safety policies and personal protective equipment (PPE) are in place, inconsistent glove use, slow hazard identification, and delayed response still cause injuries. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated an eight-week, nurse-led injury-prevention bundle at a Texas heavy-vehicle manufacturing facility. The intervention required daily glove inspections, Safety Champion participation, real-time electronic hazard reporting, and corrective action within the shift. Injury outcomes were measured using Occupational Safety and Administration (OSHA) rates per 200,000 work hours and percentage change from baseline. After implementation, hand injury rates fell from …

The Association Between Personal Particulate Matter Exposures And Cognitive Function Among Stroke Patients, Kentucky, Usa, Nana Afua Ankomah Dei

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Stroke, a major cause of long-term disability and cognitive problems in the U.S., significantly affects people’s quality of life. Exposure to particulate matter (PM_2.5) may result in systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which can worsen the cognitive function of post-thrombectomy stroke patients. This project thus assessed the relationship between PM_2.5 exposure and its effect on the cognitive function of post-thrombectomy stroke patients. Fifteen stroke patients (9 non-Appalachian and 6 Appalachian) undergone thrombectomy were recruited. Personal PM_2.5 exposure was measured using wearable sensors for a week during the study period. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores and covariates …

Advancing Menstrual Health And Hygiene In Rural Kenya: A Guideline Based Approach, Tessia R. Winnfield

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Objective: To develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for menstrual health management addressing menstrual education, teacher training, menstrual school absenteeism, male student engagement, pain management, and provision of menstrual kits with product options.

Design: This evidence-based practice guideline development project used the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Framework and the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model (JHNEBP). I conducted a systematic literature review and a critical appraisal to identify best practices for menstrual hygiene interventions in rural communities.

Setting: The guideline development occurred within an academic Doctor of Nursing Practice program focused on rural communities.

Participants: Seven stakeholders …

Caught In The Midwife’S Hands: A Black Feminist Exploration Of Reproductive Health And Justice In Massachusetts, Nina Bakum

Gender, Sexuality, and Intersectionality Studies Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

Trends Among Suspected Opioid Overdose Emergency Medical Service (Ems) Incidents In Georgia From 2019-2023, Ashton Harris

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Opioid overdoses remain a problem in the United States, underscoring the need for additional surveillance tools to monitor trends in opioid overdoses. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data is a timely surveillance method that captures more potential overdoses than hospitals by representing the pre-hospital setting. Research questions in the study assess EMS responses to suspect opioid overdose incidents from 2019-2023 in Georgia to encompass the following characteristics: timeframe (pre, during, post-pandemic), urban versus rural counties, race/ethnicity, categorical type of first responder, mean dosage of naloxone in milligrams administered, and death. 84,359 records meeting the inclusion criteria were initially retrieved from the …

Enhancing Breast Cancer Screening Uptake In Hispanic Women Residing In Rural Texas Through A Quality Improvement Project, Bianca Batchelor-Salazar

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in the United States. Despite the effectiveness of mammography in early detection, Hispanic women in rural communities experience lower screening rates due to socioeconomic, cultural, and access-related barriers. At a rural South Texas clinic, the baseline screening rate among Hispanic women aged 50–74 years was 70.6%, below national benchmarks.

Purpose: To increase breast cancer screening compliance among Hispanic women aged 50–74 years in a rural South Texas family practice clinic.

Methods: Guided by the Lean A3 quality improvement framework, this project implemented a multifaceted intervention bundle that included …

Performance Outcomes Of Critical Access Hospitals: A Resource Dependence Theory Evaluation Of Change Of Ownership Versus Independence, Colette Christina Martin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) play a vital role in sustaining healthcare access in rural communities, yet many face persistent financial and operational constraints. A change in hospital ownership is frequently seen as a strategy to sustain these hospitals, improve access to capital, supplement administrative infrastructure, and leverage system-level expertise. However, empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of acquisition for CAHs remains limited and mixed. Guided by Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) and the Balanced Scorecard framework, this study examines whether ownership change is associated with differences in financial performance, utilization, staffing, and quality outcomes among CAHs.

Using Medicare Cost Reports, the American …

Community Benefit Spending Decisions At Virginia’S Nonprofit Hospitals, Zelda Hinkle

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects

Nonprofit hospitals play a unique role in the healthcare system: in exchange for tax- exempt status, they are expected to provide “community benefits,” such as charity care, health programs, and community investments. While this spending represents a major opportunity to improve population health and address disparities, stakeholders debate how expectations should be set, measured, and regulated to ensure mission adherence while maintaining nonprofit autonomy. This study explores how community benefit spending allocation is actually determined, leveraging interviews with decision-makers at large nonprofit hospital systems in Virginia. Findings consider the role of factors such as Community Health Needs Assessments and strategic …

Viral Misunderstandings: Reddit Posts And The Covid-19 Infodemic, Julia C. Knutson

Scripps Senior Theses

Information epidemics or “infodemics” became the center of misinformation conversations, due to a global increase in information spread surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. While many academic scholars and institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) attribute the cause of infodemics to anti-science attitudes and the public’s lack of scientific literacy, scholars in Science, Technology, and Society argue that analyzing misinformation within these isolated bounds limits our understanding of its underlying social and historical contexts. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study for misinformation analysis reveals a gap in our current understanding of how people who resonate with or spread …

Enhancing Nursing Education To Improve Care For Women Experiencing A Substance Use Disorder During Pregnancy, Sadie Caddell

Honors Theses and Capstones

Introduction: Nursing education prepares students to care for patient populations by enhancing knowledge of clinical pathophysiology and applying foundational nursing skills to tailor to the unique care requirements of each patient. When analyzing the nursing course curriculums as guides for what is included in nursing education, it is essential to consider relevant patient populations to ensure adequate representation in lectures. Inclusivity of relevant patient populations within curriculums equips students to encounter a variety of patients in a clinical setting. Perinatal substance use has prevalence in the local community of this university, with 6% of all births in New Hampshire in …

Health Insurance As A Mediator Of Neighborhood Deprivation And Pediatric Cancer Survival: An Analysis Of State Cancer Registry Data, Emma Hymel, Cheng Zheng, Jenna Allison, Kendra L. Ratnapradipa, Edward S. Peters, Sarah H. Nash, Mei-Chin Hsieh, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

INTRODUCTION: To develop interventions to reduce neighborhood-level disparities in pediatric cancer outcomes, it is necessary to understand their underlying mechanisms. It has been suggested that individual-level health insurance is a mediator of neighborhood deprivation and pediatric cancer survival.

METHODS: This study was a population-based longitudinal study of children with cancer from 2000 to 2020 in the Iowa Cancer Registry and Louisiana Tumor Registry. Neighborhood deprivation was measured using the Area Deprivation Index. Log-binomial regression models were used to identify predictors of health insurance status at diagnosis. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between health insurance status at …

Bridging The Knowledge-Practice Gap In Breast Cancer Awareness: A Nationwide Online Cross-Sectional Kap Study Among Adult Females In Nigeria, Madinat Hassan, Taofeek Tope Adegboyega, Bilkisu Usman Farouk, Sunday Zeal Bala, Rachael Olufunmilayo Oduyemi, Kazeem Owolabi, Munir Sani, Miracle Uwa Livinus, Hannatu Usman Ayuba, Sadiq Hassan, Ifeyinwa Maureen Okeke, Abednego Shekari, Murtala Jibril

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Background and Aims

Breast cancer (BCa) is a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women in Nigeria, with late presentation contributing to poor outcomes. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to perform breast self-examination (BSE) among adult females in Nigeria and examined associated factors.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional online survey between February 16 and April 30, 2024. A structured, pretested questionnaire was disseminated through digital platforms, yielding 711 consenting adult female respondents from all six geopolitical zones. Knowledge, attitude, and willingness-to-perform-BSE measures were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and binary logistic regression. Associations were …