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Elite Esports Players And Their Physical Health: A Systematic Review Of Injuries, Musculoskeletal Pain, And Fitness-Related Factors, Michal Steffl, Daniel Opelik, Vladimir Hlinka, Grzegorz Mikrut, Petra Hospodkova Sep 2026

Elite Esports Players And Their Physical Health: A Systematic Review Of Injuries, Musculoskeletal Pain, And Fitness-Related Factors, Michal Steffl, Daniel Opelik, Vladimir Hlinka, Grzegorz Mikrut, Petra Hospodkova

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The rapid rise of competitive esports has sparked concerns over the physical health of elite players. Prolonged sedentary behaviour, repetitive movements, and poor ergonomic practices may predispose these athletes to injuries, musculoskeletal pain, and unfavourable body composition. Materials and methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted by searching Pub-Med, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science for cross-sectional studies on physical activity (PA), body composition, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal health in elite esports players. Data from 22 peer-reviewed studies involving 5,035 participants aged 16 to 35 were synthesized. Results: Findings consistently show that esports players engage in lower …


Marching Health From Music To Injury: The Implications Of Marching Band Athletic Training Accessibility, Madelyn Liebhardt Apr 2026

Marching Health From Music To Injury: The Implications Of Marching Band Athletic Training Accessibility, Madelyn Liebhardt

Honors Projects

The following study explores the importance and need of athletic trainers (ATs) in marching band settings. Athletic Training is an essential backbone to many sports programs worldwide. Athletic Trainers are commonly seen as active staff members for many high school, collegiate, professional teams as well as in clinical office sites. Athletic Trainers are also staffed in non-traditional settings such as corporate settings, performing arts, military branches. Marching bands are categorized under non-traditional sports settings and ATs are becoming more highly preferred in this area. This study follows the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Falcon Marching Band (FMB) during the 2025 …


Global Trends And Research Directions Of Augmented Reality In Sports: A Bibliometric And Scoping Review, Novri Gazali, Ahmad Rahmadani, Romi Cendra, M. Fransazeli Makorohim, Syed Kamaruzaman Syed Ali, Joseph Lobo, Edi Setiawan Apr 2026

Global Trends And Research Directions Of Augmented Reality In Sports: A Bibliometric And Scoping Review, Novri Gazali, Ahmad Rahmadani, Romi Cendra, M. Fransazeli Makorohim, Syed Kamaruzaman Syed Ali, Joseph Lobo, Edi Setiawan

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Advances in digital technology have accelerated the adoption of augmented reality (AR) in sports, enhancing training quality, performance analysis, and learning experiences. However, comprehensive studies that systematically map global research trends and sport-specific applications remain limited. Objective: This study aims to analyze global trends and applications of augmented reality (AR) in sports using a mixed-method approach combining bibliometric analysis and a scoping review. Methods: Bibliographic data were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, covering the period 2016–2025. Following a PRISMA-ScR-based selection process, a total of 520 articles were included. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer and …


Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Fluctuations And Non-Contact Acl Rupture Risk In Female Athletes: A Literature Review, Alexa K. Larson Apr 2026

Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Fluctuations And Non-Contact Acl Rupture Risk In Female Athletes: A Literature Review, Alexa K. Larson

Honors Thesis

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common and debilitating injuries in athletic populations, with female athletes experiencing significantly higher rates of non-contact ACL rupture compared to males, often while participating in the same sports. Hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle have been proposed as a potential intrinsic risk factor influencing injury susceptibility. The purpose of this literature review was to examine current research investigating how menstrual cycle-related hormonal fluctuations may influence the risk of non-contact ACL rupture in female athletes. A comprehensive search of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases identified fourteen peer-reviewed studies that met the …


Lat Pulldown Load Velocity Profiling In Upper-Body Dominant Athletes: A Preliminary Report, Darian B. Hastings, Benjamin P. Doyle, John D. Tebbetts, Bryan B. Crutcher, J Bryan Mann Feb 2026

Lat Pulldown Load Velocity Profiling In Upper-Body Dominant Athletes: A Preliminary Report, Darian B. Hastings, Benjamin P. Doyle, John D. Tebbetts, Bryan B. Crutcher, J Bryan Mann

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The lat pulldown (LPD) is a common strength exercise aimed to improve maximal strength and power of the latissimus dorsi, the primary agonist muscle for vertical pulling patterns common in sports such as swimming and sport climbing. There is limited research supporting the use of load velocity profiling of the LPD exercise for determining maximal vertical pulling power in upper-body dominant athletes and using these profiles to predict sport-specific performance capabilities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the use of load velocity profiling of the LPD exercise as a predictive measure of vertical pulling power in upper-body …


Aerobic Capacity And Maximal Work Performance In Firefighters: The Role Of Age And Body Composition In Occupational Health Risk, Payton E. Miller, Michael Conner, Grant M. Tinsley, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christine M. Florez, Carina M. Velasquez, Kelly Hines, Jacob A. Mota Feb 2026

Aerobic Capacity And Maximal Work Performance In Firefighters: The Role Of Age And Body Composition In Occupational Health Risk, Payton E. Miller, Michael Conner, Grant M. Tinsley, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christine M. Florez, Carina M. Velasquez, Kelly Hines, Jacob A. Mota

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighting requires repeated bouts of high-intensity physical work performed under extreme environmental conditions, placing substantial strain on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of on-duty firefighter fatalities, with the majority of deaths occurring among firefighters aged 40 years and older. Physiological characteristics such as age and body composition influence aerobic capacity and maximal work performance, both of which are critical and essential while performing strenuous operations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine how age, sex, and body composition affect aerobic capacity (VO2peak) and maximal work capacity (Wmax …


How Self-Talk Affects Performance Among Ncaa Division Iii Female Athletes, Micah Rabey, Briannah Mejias, Giana Hilliard, Cambryn Holloway, Matt Robinson, Kristen Mcalexander Feb 2026

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 …


Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimation By Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry And Bioimpedance Techniques In Muscular, Resistance-Trained Adults, John R. Alexander, Christian Rodriguez, Christine M. Florez, Ethan G. Tinoco, Julia Whitson, Carina M. Velasquez, Grant M. Tinsley Feb 2026

Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimation By Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry And Bioimpedance Techniques In Muscular, Resistance-Trained Adults, John R. Alexander, Christian Rodriguez, Christine M. Florez, Ethan G. Tinoco, Julia Whitson, Carina M. Velasquez, Grant M. Tinsley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is an important body composition metric in clinical and research settings. However, criterion methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are largely inaccessible, so surrogate methods such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance are used to estimate SMM. The agreement of these surrogate estimates may be impacted by physiological characteristics of the specific populations being evaluated. PURPOSE: To compare SMM estimates derived from DXA and bioimpedance methods using differing prediction equations within a sample of muscular, resistance-trained adults. METHODS: Forty participants (23 M, 17 F; [mean ± SD] age: 28.1 …


Dehydration Alters Pbmc Inflammatory Propensity That Impair Myoblast Fusion: An Ex-Vivo Approach, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian J. Hoebelheinrich, Larry Munger, Danielle Levitt, Hui-Ying Luk Feb 2026

Dehydration Alters Pbmc Inflammatory Propensity That Impair Myoblast Fusion: An Ex-Vivo Approach, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian J. Hoebelheinrich, Larry Munger, Danielle Levitt, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Muscle recovery from damage requires satellite cell activation to myoblasts and subsequent myoblast fusion, processes that are influenced, by immune-muscle crosstalk. In this context, the inflammatory propensity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), may alter myoblast fusion. In vitro studies have shown that hyperosmotic stress alters PBMC inflammatory potency. However, the effect of dehydration (elevated plasma osmolality) on PBMC inflammatory propensity, and its impact on myoblast fusion is unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of dehydration following muscle damage on PBMC inflammatory propensity to alter myoblast fusion using an ex-vivo model. METHODS: Active men (n=4, 19±1yr, 173.4±7.6cm, 84.3±11.6kg) …


Delayed Recovery Of Force Production In A Dehydrated State Following Muscle Damage, Amar Vaela, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian Hoebelheinrich, Seth Bernardino, Jalyn Dunlap, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk Feb 2026

Delayed Recovery Of Force Production In A Dehydrated State Following Muscle Damage, Amar Vaela, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian Hoebelheinrich, Seth Bernardino, Jalyn Dunlap, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage, knee extensor strength is substantially reduced but typically recovers toward baseline within 48-72 hours in healthy adults. Previous studies have not determined whether hydration status influences recovery following muscle damage, despite evidence that a 46.4% of university students are dehydrated, and 59% with inadequate water intake. Suggesting a high likelihood of suboptimal hydration at baseline. Although dehydration has been shown to negatively impact force production, its influence on post-exercise damage remains unclear. However, it is unclear whether dehydration alters the recovery of force production following muscle-damaging exercise. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of dehydration …


Late Life Aerobic Exercise Mitigates Age-Related Declines In Physical Function In Male And Female Rats, Dillon R. Harris, Quinten W. Pigg, Daniela S. Inoue, Andreea Trache, Mariana Janini Gomes Feb 2026

Late Life Aerobic Exercise Mitigates Age-Related Declines In Physical Function In Male And Female Rats, Dillon R. Harris, Quinten W. Pigg, Daniela S. Inoue, Andreea Trache, Mariana Janini Gomes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

While lifelong aerobic exercise (AE) is touted to counteract various age-related health detriments, the efficacy of AE initiated late in life remains unknown. PURPOSE: To investigate whether late life AE can reverse age-related physical and muscle decline in rats. METHODS: 52 male (M; n=22) and female (F; n=24) Fischer 344 rats (3- and 21-months) were randomly assigned in sedentary (SED) or exercise (EX) groups, composing 4 experimental groups per sex: Young SED (n=11; 6M, 5F) Young EX (n=12; 6M, 6F), Old SED (n=12; 5M, 7F) and Old EX (n=12; 6M, 6F). Prior to and after training, all animals underwent a …


Delay In Increased Muscle Cross Sectional Area After Muscle Damage While Dehydrated, Sarah Walper, Casey Appell, Trinity Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Seth Bernardino, Jalyn Dunlap, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk Feb 2026

Delay In Increased Muscle Cross Sectional Area After Muscle Damage While Dehydrated, Sarah Walper, Casey Appell, Trinity Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Seth Bernardino, Jalyn Dunlap, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

When muscles are damaged, the tears in the muscle fibers triggers an immune response and muscles experience inflammation. Inflammation increases WBC in the muscles to repair the micro tears. Muscle inflammation can be assessed by measuring the cross-sectional area (CSA) via ultrasound images. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of hydration status during recovery on muscle swelling after muscle damaging exercise. METHODS: Six recreationally active men (19 ± 1yr, 169.8 ± 8.3cm, 79.5 ± 11.7kg, Lean mass 58.6 ± 13.0kg, %body fat 28.3 ± 6.5%) completed two bouts of an identical muscle damaging exercise (DAM-EX) under a hydrated state and underwent …


Agreement Of Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimates Between Professional And Consumer-Grade Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, Julia A. Whitson, Carina M. Velasquez, Christine M. Florez, Ainsley E. Way, Madison H. Sullivan, Reva Ann Rudolph, John Alexander, Adhirath Malladi, Grant M. Tinsley Feb 2026

Agreement Of Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimates Between Professional And Consumer-Grade Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, Julia A. Whitson, Carina M. Velasquez, Christine M. Florez, Ainsley E. Way, Madison H. Sullivan, Reva Ann Rudolph, John Alexander, Adhirath Malladi, Grant M. Tinsley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is a useful variable for evaluating overall fitness and detecting conditions like sarcopenia and cachexia. While several validated laboratory and clinical devices (including magnetic resonance imaging, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and laboratory-grade bioimpedance devices) are adept at SMM assessment, such measures may prove inaccessible or cost-prohibitive to the average person. Consumer-grade bioimpedance analyzers seek to bridge this gap and provide affordable, accurate body composition information. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the validity of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) assessment by a consumer-available hand-to-foot bioimpedance analyzer between females and males, using a professional-grade device as …


Thermography-Derived Skin Temperature Metrics Reflect Physiological And Perceptual Recovery, Tyler Mccollum, Marcos Keefe, Alexandra Brojanac, Isabel J. Richardson, Sophia J. Waller, Yasuki Sekiguchi Feb 2026

Thermography-Derived Skin Temperature Metrics Reflect Physiological And Perceptual Recovery, Tyler Mccollum, Marcos Keefe, Alexandra Brojanac, Isabel J. Richardson, Sophia J. Waller, Yasuki Sekiguchi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Monitoring recovery following fatiguing exercise requires tools that are sensitive to both physiological and perceptual stress while remaining practical for applied settings. Infrared thermography has emerged as a promising, non-invasive technique, yet its association with established recovery outcomes has not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE: To investigate the association between thermography-measured skin temperature with physiological and perceptual recovery metrics. METHODS: Eight recreationally active individuals (mean ± standard deviation; age: 29 ± 5yrs, height: 174.3 ± 7.7, weight: 72.5 ± 7.1kg) completed a whole-body fatiguing exercise protocol with either pre-exercise sauna, post-exercise sauna, or no sauna bathing in a randomized and counterbalanced …


Effect Of Acute Sleep Fragmentation On Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow During Handgrip Exercise, Gabriel Narvaez, Joaquin Gonzales Feb 2026

Effect Of Acute Sleep Fragmentation On Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow During Handgrip Exercise, Gabriel Narvaez, Joaquin Gonzales

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sleep fragmentation (arousals from sleep) has been shown to impair vascular function due to elevated inflammation and oxidative stress. Previous research on this topic has focused on resting vascular function, with little information available about the effect of poor sleep on hyperemic responses to exercise. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that acute sleep fragmentation impairs skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise. METHODS: Fifteen adults (7F, 8M, age- 25 ± 5 y, BMI 23.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2) participated in a randomized crossover study that included one night of habitual sleep and one night of sleep fragmentation separated by at least 7 …


The Effects Of Multiple Circuit Training Sessions In Hot Compared To Thermoneutral Environmental Conditions On Environmental Symptomology, Jenna King, Ryan Dunn, Alexandra Brojanac, Mario Hernandez, Yasuki Sekiguchi Feb 2026

The Effects Of Multiple Circuit Training Sessions In Hot Compared To Thermoneutral Environmental Conditions On Environmental Symptomology, Jenna King, Ryan Dunn, Alexandra Brojanac, Mario Hernandez, Yasuki Sekiguchi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Heat acclimation (HA) protocols have been under constant development since the 20th century, with the optimal HA approach yet to be determined. Adaptations from traditional approaches likely favor aerobic performance due to the nature of low- to moderate-intensity, endurance-based exercise in the heat. However, individuals involved in team sports, military personnel, and occupational workers may benefit from adaptations induced by a HA protocol that is more sport-/activity-specific. PURPOSE: To investigate differences in environmental symptomatology during a circuit training session in the heat (35°C; 40% relative humidity [RH]) following short-term (5 day) circuit training in hot and thermoneutral environmental conditions. METHODS: …


Do Body Composition And Cardiovascular Fitness Differ By Gender In Firefighters?, Giuliet L. Kibler, Kelly Hines, Michael J. Conner, Lisa C. Colvin, Steven E. Martin, Drew E. Gonzalez Feb 2026

Do Body Composition And Cardiovascular Fitness Differ By Gender In Firefighters?, Giuliet L. Kibler, Kelly Hines, Michael J. Conner, Lisa C. Colvin, Steven E. Martin, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FF) endure substantial cardiovascular stress during their occupational tasks; yet, males and females differ in cardiovascular fitness (CRF) due to biological factors. The differences in body composition (BC) and CRF among FFs remain unclear. PURPOSE: To compare gender-specific outcomes in body BC and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) of FF. METHODS: BC assessments via BIA and CPET on a cycle ergometer for 509 FF were analyzed from annual clinical testing. Gender was self-reported as follows: female (n = 29), male (n = 476), or other (n = 4). BC metrics, including body fat, lean body mass, skeletal muscle …


How Do Firefighters Differ Between Years Of Fire Service Experience: Part 1 - Physical Fitness Profiles, Ian Bivins, Michael J. Conner, Jacob A. Mota, Payton Miller, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, Drew Gonzalez Feb 2026

How Do Firefighters Differ Between Years Of Fire Service Experience: Part 1 - Physical Fitness Profiles, Ian Bivins, Michael J. Conner, Jacob A. Mota, Payton Miller, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FF) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to aging, job-related stress, and irregular physical activity. Years of experience (YXP) in the fire service have been shown to have a unique impact on FF health and performance; however, profiling the differences between those with less or more YXP has not yet been assessed. PURPOSE: To examine years of experience-related differences in conventional physical fitness parameters among FFs. METHODS: Archival data from annual clinical testing of 142 FFs were analyzed. Groups were defined as those with 5 YXP. General linear models (GLM) were used for multivariate …


Evaluating Self-Reported Dietary Habits And Barriers Among Rotc Cadets Across Body Mass Index Classifications, Sarah E. Johnson, Sheyla Leon, Michael Conner, Lisa Colvin, Steven Martin, Stella Volpe, Drew Gonzalez Feb 2026

Evaluating Self-Reported Dietary Habits And Barriers Among Rotc Cadets Across Body Mass Index Classifications, Sarah E. Johnson, Sheyla Leon, Michael Conner, Lisa Colvin, Steven Martin, Stella Volpe, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Limited data exist on the overall and sports nutrition knowledge among Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets across different body mass index (BMI) categories. PURPOSE: We aimed to study ROTC cadets' dietary habits and barriers across BMI groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 184 ROTC cadets regarding validated questionnaires, such as the Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating (PBHE), Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), and Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Short Version (REAPS). The cadets were stratified into body mass index (BMI) groups: underweight (RESULTS: Chi-square analyses showed BMI-related differences in responses to REAPS' breakfast skipping question (χ²=14.289, p=0.027, V=0.199), …


Under Pressure: Floor-To-Stage Heart Rate Differences In Elite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Players, Ashley Holland, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek Jan 2026

Under Pressure: Floor-To-Stage Heart Rate Differences In Elite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Players, Ashley Holland, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Background: The growing Esports industry features high stakes competition and large-scale viewership. Competitors in titles such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) may experience increased performance anxiety indicators like elevated heart rate especially when placed into spotlighted stage matches, both live streamed and recorded in front of a live audience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if heart rate elevations differ between competitive play on stage relative to the floor of a double-elimination style tournament bracket. Methods: Four internationally ranked SSBU players (24±1y; 4M) wore chest-based heart rate monitors throughout a double-elimination bracket.A 2-way (Bracket [Winners, Losers] …


Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill Influences Simple And Spatially-Cued Reaction Speeds Without Impacting Impulsivity, Joshua Meyers, Adam Hassane, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek Jan 2026

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill Influences Simple And Spatially-Cued Reaction Speeds Without Impacting Impulsivity, Joshua Meyers, Adam Hassane, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) is a prevalent but under-researched Esports title that requires efficient decision making to execute game-specific strategies. Purpose: To identify any potential differences in reaction time and impulsivity across different SSBU player skill levels. Methods: Twenty-four casual (CAS; 25±4y; 23M/1F) and 20 elite (ES 23±4y; all male) SSBU Esports athletes, as well as 21 non-gaming controls (NG; 23±5y; 3M/18F) volunteered for the present cross-sectional investigation, completing both a simple reaction time (SRT) test, Go/No-Go (GNG) assessment, and Posner Cueing Task (PCT) in-person using the PsyToolKit browser-based application. Best and mean SRT, GNG metrics (Go reaction speed …


Dexterity Assessment Scores Vary With Controller Type But Not Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill, Jacob D. Cervantes, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek Jan 2026

Dexterity Assessment Scores Vary With Controller Type But Not Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill, Jacob D. Cervantes, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Within the expanding Esports industry, competitive Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) players require high neuromotor execution. They consequently select controllers and permit functional modifications to match the individual precision and dexterity preferences within their playstyle. PURPOSE: To examine how skill level and controller preference impact dexterity scores in SSBU players of differing skill relative to each other and non-gamers. METHODS: 56 (22 male casual CAS; 24y ± 4; play >4 hr per week, 15 male ES; 24y ± 4; top 150 globally- ranked competitive SSBU players, and 19 non-gamer controls NG; 24y ± 5; 16F/3M) subjects voluntarily participated …


A Qualitative Study Exploring Female Graduate Assistants In Athletics: Gender-Oriented Career Barriers And Coping Strategies, Jin Park, Jiyoung Park Jan 2026

A Qualitative Study Exploring Female Graduate Assistants In Athletics: Gender-Oriented Career Barriers And Coping Strategies, Jin Park, Jiyoung Park

Faculty Publications - Kinesiology and Recreation

This study explored the perceptions of female graduate assistants who worked in the NCAA division I athletic department regarding the barriers to their career success in the sport industry and their coping mechanisms through the lens of social cognitive career theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 female graduate assistants who were working in the athletic department of an NCAA Division I institution. The participants felt pressured to prove their value at work because of the perceived gender stereotypes against women working in sport and the belief in the glass ceiling for women working in a sport organization. To overcome …


Should More Teams "Trust The Process" Of Tanking?, Eduardo G. Minuci, Alexander Cardazzi, Candon Johnson Jan 2026

Should More Teams "Trust The Process" Of Tanking?, Eduardo G. Minuci, Alexander Cardazzi, Candon Johnson

Economics Faculty Publications

In many professional sport leagues, the worst-performing teams receive higher probability of earning top draft picks. This provides teams incentives to purposefully lose, or "tank," if they are not likely to contend for the playoffs or championships. We evaluate the effectiveness of tanking to improve team outcomes by examining the most explicit tanking case in the NBA: the "Trust the Process" Philadelphia 76ers. Using synthetic control, we demonstrate that tanking caused the 76ers to be more successful in terms of winning and operating income. However, only operating income had a plausibly positive present value when calculating discounted present values.


The Evolution Of Match-Play In Major League Soccer From 2018 To 2023, Callum J. Mccaskie, Christopher Wing Jan 2026

The Evolution Of Match-Play In Major League Soccer From 2018 To 2023, Callum J. Mccaskie, Christopher Wing

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Major League Soccer (MLS) has experienced significant growth since its establishment 30 years ago. However, no research has investigated the on-field performance trends. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the evolution of MLS match-play via technical and tactical key performance indicators, and investigate the differences between teams according to league finishing position. MLS on-field performance indicators were obtained across six seasons from open-source website FBref. Mean game values were collected from 21 match performance indicators for every MLS team over six seasons. Teams were also classified according to their league finishing position at the conclusion of each …


Will They Be More Honest With An (External) Proctor? Evaluating Ufc Match Performance Before And After The Adoption Of The Usada Doping Program, Moonsup Hyun, Wonsok (Frank) Jee, Sehwon Kang, Yohan Lee Jan 2026

Will They Be More Honest With An (External) Proctor? Evaluating Ufc Match Performance Before And After The Adoption Of The Usada Doping Program, Moonsup Hyun, Wonsok (Frank) Jee, Sehwon Kang, Yohan Lee

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Over the eight years from 2015 to 2023, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) partnered with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to institute comprehensive external oversight of doping controls. This study investigates the effects of transitioning from internally administered anti-doping protocols to exclusive external governance by comparing UFC performance metrics before and during the USADA partnership. Using a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) approach with data from 2012 to 2018, we find that match duration significantly increased, while the likelihood of extreme outcomes, knockouts (KO), technical knockouts (TKO), and submissions, decreased during the USADA period. These results suggest that performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) could …


Single Vs. Whole Muscle Group Assessments: Does The Specific Muscle Influence Its Association With Performance?, Carina M. Velasquez, Kealey J. Wohlgemuth, Mckenzie M. Hare, Kathryn E. Southall, Jacob A. Mota Nov 2025

Single Vs. Whole Muscle Group Assessments: Does The Specific Muscle Influence Its Association With Performance?, Carina M. Velasquez, Kealey J. Wohlgemuth, Mckenzie M. Hare, Kathryn E. Southall, Jacob A. Mota

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 11, 2025. Biometric Muscle size and echo intensity are thought to influence muscle function. Unfortunately, previous works often will examine a single muscle from a group of agonists as a metric of whole muscle performance. This approach may not always be the most appropriate to assess performance outcomes. The purpose of the study was to 1) quantify the association of muscle size and echo intensity with vertical jump performance (VJ), 2) Compare the associations between individual and whole muscle group size and echo intensity, 3) determine whether single or …


Implementation Evaluation Of Blood Flow Restriction In The Rehabilitative Setting, Corbit Franks, Madison Wellborn, Matthew A. Chatlaong, Daphney M. Carter, William M. Miller, Matthew B. Jessee, Robert E. Davis Oct 2025

Implementation Evaluation Of Blood Flow Restriction In The Rehabilitative Setting, Corbit Franks, Madison Wellborn, Matthew A. Chatlaong, Daphney M. Carter, William M. Miller, Matthew B. Jessee, Robert E. Davis

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Blood flow restriction refers to a training/rehabilitation method consisting of an external pressure system applied to a limb to partially inhibit blood flow to the tissues. Though much research has been conducted concerning the use of blood flow restriction, there is limited research concerning why clinicians may or may not utilize it. Objective: The current qualitative study utilized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to investigate why clinicians may or may not implement blood flow restriction in the clinical setting. Methods: A semi-structured interview addressing twelve implementation constructs within four domains (Intervention Characteristics, Outer Setting, Inner Setting, and Characteristics …


Managing User Conflicts In A Water Aerobics Program On Behalf Of A Veteran’S Group: A Short Case Study, Hadley Blankenship, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., Jason L. Scott Oct 2025

Managing User Conflicts In A Water Aerobics Program On Behalf Of A Veteran’S Group: A Short Case Study, Hadley Blankenship, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., Jason L. Scott

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This article captures an experience in conflict management that happened during the summer of 2024 as a recreational therapy intern with an adaptive sport and recreation organization located in the Southeastern United States. The backdrop to the case is that a recreational therapy intern worked with various special needs populations – mainly with paraplegic (adult and youth) athletes and veterans. In many organizations, user conflicts and poor communication regarding service provision and scheduling hinder the implementation of programs for special populations, such as veteran groups. In this case, a problem occurred with the scheduling of a water aerobics program for …


Diversity In Aquatics:4th Special Issue, Tiffany M. Quash Ph.D., Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq, Steven N. Waller Ph.D. Oct 2025

Diversity In Aquatics:4th Special Issue, Tiffany M. Quash Ph.D., Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq, Steven N. Waller Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The theme of this special issue is “Building a Community of Champions.” The purpose of this theme is to highlight and promote a civic engagement perspective that engages, advocates, and supports communities of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in addressing the national, regional, and local evolving health-related issue of drowning. Aquatic Settings have been a pivotal focal point of social justice, water safety, and public health, not only in the past but also in our present day (Beale-Tawfeeq, Quash, et al, 2023 and Waller and Bemiller, 2023). Diversity In Aquatics (DIA) strives to positively impact the field of aquatics …