Digital Commons Network^™

Faith Community Nursing: Home Care Delivery Model, Deborah J. Ziebarth

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Faith community nurses (FCNs) perform home visits as part of their scope of practice. The FCN does home visits based solely on the assessed needs of patients, regardless of insurance or prescriber orders. A historical review describes the practice gap leading to the development of the Faith Community Nursing: Home Care Delivery Model provided in the booklet: Visitation Guidelines for Faith Community Nurses. Through a review of literature, alignment, and diagram, key components are defined. A wholistic screening exemplary (Congestive Heart Failure) is shared. The model’s key components are screening/assessment for specific disease risk (pre-diagnosed and diagnosed), education (patient and …

Age And Postural Stability In Firefighters: An Analysis Of Anterior Reach Asymmetry And The Two-Foot Length Criterion, Madeleine Fulk, Roger O. Kollock, Maddie Seidner, Rachel Ward, Zora Szabo, Muhammed O. Malik, Gabriel J. Sanders

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1175-1185, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/HSMV3009 This study explored how age affects postural stability (PS) in firefighters by focusing on two key objectives: 1) determining if age affects right-to-left anterior (ANT) reach distance asymmetry (ASYM) during the Motor Control Screen (MCS) test and 2) assessing whether the proportion of firefighters not meeting the greater than two-foot length (2FL) criterion for ANT reach differs across age groups. Data from 95 male firefighters were analyzed using the MCS ANT reach test, part of the Y-Balance Test (YBT). The key outcomes were the difference in ANT reach distances between legs …

Aging Is Not All Doom And Gloom: How Do Beliefs About Aging Moderate The Effects Of Mortality Salience On Ageism Attitudes?, Kristen Schwindt Edmondson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of the study is to examine how young adults’ beliefs about aging moderate the effects of mortality salience on their ageism attitudes. Past research suggests that ageism is, in part, due to the presence of elderly people reminding people of their own aging process and mortality (Martens et al., 2004). Little is known, however, about how individuals’ beliefs about aging may moderate the impact of mortality salience on their attitudes toward aging. Some people tend to perceive aging-related changes as relatively fixed (i.e., essentialist belief), whereas others perceive them as relatively malleable (nonessentialist belief). Would a more malleable …

Does Body Mass Index Affect Postural Control In Adults?, Taylor Kruse, Andrew Shim, Ian Bonder

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 394-403, 2025. Obese adults are faced with greater challenges to maintaining balance compared to their healthy-weight counterparts. Due in part to the ongoing national and global obesity epidemic, it’s imperative to identify if body mass index (BMI) could negatively affect postural control and balance. The purpose of this study was to determine if CoP scores displayed a significant relationship with BMI in healthy adults. Cross-sectional, archival data from 225 adults (40 males; 185 females; age 29.6 + 14.25 years; weight 77.95 + 21.33 kilograms [kg]; height 168.43 + 0.66 centimeters [cm]; BMI 27.52 + …

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 The Role Of Bingocize® Workshops In Enhancing Health And Well-Being In Older Adults, Kaitlyn Gray

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

As the population of older adults grows, the need for better health and well-being also grows, making it necessary to implement effective strategies for healthy aging to improve the length and quality of life of older adults (CDC, 2024). This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Bingocize^® Workshop in improving the physical health of older adults. Bingocize^®, a unique program combining bingo with exercise, is designed to increase physical activity. Eleven (11) participants aged 68.55 ± 6.235 attended a ten-week workshop, two times per week focusing on physical exercises tailored to their abilities. The primary objective was …

Grief And Loss: Catholic Filipino Traditions, Edgar D. Montesa

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Catholic Filipino traditions regarding death, loss, and grief, consist of Christian, paganistic and animistic elements. The peculiar beliefs and practices reflect ethnic Filipinos' values and views of things. They help contemporary Filipinos cope with a loved one's death and with the challenges posed by a pandemic. They have certain implications for faith community nurses.

Acute Effects Of Serial And Integrated Concurrent Exercise On Circulating Micrornas -126 And -222 In Sedentary Adults, Matthew F. Brisebois, Ryan A. Gordon, Emily L. Zumbro, Matthew L. Sokoloski, Anthony A. Duplanty, Shanil Juma, Brandon R. Rigby

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 1444-1460, 2024. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in circulating microRNAs -126 (c-miR-126) and -222 (c-miR-222) following acute serial concurrent exercise (SCE) and integrated concurrent exercise (ICE) sessions among young, sedentary adults. Ten males and 9 females completed the study procedures. For SCE, participants performed resistance exercise (RE) followed by aerobic exercise (AE), without mixing the two. For ICE, participants performed a brief bout of AE before each set of RE. Blood was collected before, immediately after (IP), and 1 h (1HR) after each exercise session. Expression of c-miR-126 significantly increased …

Physiological And Psychological Differences Between 20% Grade Incline-Walking And Level-Grade Jogging At Isocaloric Intensity, Motoki Sato, Taj Krieger, Alexis D. Gidley, Brianne Weaver, Craig A. Johnson, David E. Lankford

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(6): 1318-1336, 2024. High-incline walking is a relatively new trend with little comparative information. This study compared physiological and psychological differences between high-incline walking at 20% grade (HIW) and level-grade jogging (LGJ) at isocaloric intensities in young adults. Twenty-two participants (M = 11, F = 11) aged 19–31 years completed the study. Participants completed HIW and LGJ on a treadmill for twenty minutes on two separate occasions and matched at isocaloric intensities. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), maintainability (HCM), and affective valence using the Feeling Scale (FS) were measured at minutes 2, 10, and 20. …

Impact Of 10-Week Evidence–Based Falls Prevention Program On Outcomes Related To Falls Risk In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Mark A. Schafer, Paula Upright, Jana Michalik, K. Jason Crandall

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(7): 1131-1141, 2023. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of a 10-week evidence-based falls prevention program (Bingocize®) on self-reported fear of falling, general health, physical activity, social isolation, and avoidance behavior, in community-dwelling older adults in Virginia. Participants > 60 years of age (n= 481) attended Bingocize® group sessions twice per week for 10 weeks. The program combined conventional bingo with periodic strength, balance, flexibility exercises, and fall prevention education. Pre and post assessments gauged participants' self-perception of fear of falling, general health, physical activity, social isolation, and avoidance behavior. 481 participants attended at least 80% …

Older Adult Aerobic Capacity, Muscular Strength, Fitness And Body Composition After 20+ Years Of Exercise Training: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Eric Leslie, Vincent Luna, Ann L. Gibson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(3): 620-637, 2023. Older adults (³ 65 years) are recommended to participate in regular exercise to maintain health in late adulthood. The impact of long-term (20+ years) exercise training that align with the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) recommended guidelines has not been evaluated for older adults. To address this, a systematic review and meta-analyses were performed regarding the effects of long-term exercise training on older adult aerobic capacity, muscular fitness, and body composition that meet the ACSM’s recommendation for weekly training volume. Ten studies with individuals that performed cardiorespiratory or resistance exercise met …

Bibliography, Dr. Jill D. Duba

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Bibliography of publications and presentations by Jill Duba Sauerheber.

Bibliography, M. Susan Jones

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Bibliography of publications by M. Susan Jones.

Ua61/3 Health & Human Services Dean's Office, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Unprocessed records created by and about the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

Nurses Addressing The Knowledge Gap In Advance Care Planning, Stephanie Winkel, Elaine B. Harwood

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Background: Advance care planning allows people autonomy about values and preferences related to care at the EOL. Engaging in advance care planning enables one to consider decisions about medical treatment at the EOL and informing significant others, including health care providers, about preferences (National Institute on Aging [NIA], 2018).

Methods: In this QI project, the intervention will be a one-time ZOOM^® meeting between nurse leaders and participating church members. The nurse leader will present the 5 Wishes curriculum and lead a question-and-answer portion at the end of the ZOOM^® meeting. Participants will be asked to complete a short …

Functional Comparison Of Six-Minute Walk Tests Between Shod And Minimalist Footwear Individuals In Mid-Life: A Preliminary Pilot Study Analysis, Camille L. Nguyen, Aaron W. Johnson, Annie Smedley, Sarah T. Ridge

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Research has shown that wearing minimalistic footwear can increase intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle size and strength,although the effect of transitioning from shod to minimalist footwear on gait functionality–such as performance on a six-minute walk test–is not well documented. PURPOSE: We observed the differences in a six-minute functional walk test between mid-life (45yrs-65yrs) individuals who transitioned to minimalist footwear (MF) over a fourteen month period compared to habitually shod (HS) individuals. METHODS: Twenty mid-life individuals participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the MF (n=8, age= 56.5 ± 5.18 yrs, height= 162.71 ± 7.69 cm, …

Efficacy Of A 6-Week Suspension Training Exercise Program On Fitness Components In Older Adults, Christina Pierle, Alexander T. Mcdaniel, Lindsey H. Schroeder, Michel J.H. Heijnen, Wayland Tseh

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(3): 1168-1178, 2022. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a 6-week suspension training exercise program on fitness components in older adults. Eleven participants (age = 80 ± 5 yrs) completed a 6-week suspension training exercise program. Pre- and post-fitness assessments comprised of body composition, handgrip dynamometer, functional reach, and balance. The 6-week suspension training intervention required individuals to perform suspension training exercises for fifty minutes, twice per week. A paired sample t-test was used to determine differences from pre-and post-assessments. An improvement was observed in functional reach (57.2 ± …

Utilizing Heart Rate And Rpe To Prescribe Cycle Ergometer Hiit In Older Adults: A Feasibility Study, Christopher J. Keating, Pedro Ángel Latorre Román, José Carlos Cabrera Linares, Ana De La Casa Pérez, Juan Antonio Párraga Montilla

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4): 896-909, 2022. Previous research has provided evidence that aerobic HIIT exercise can induce important physiological adaptations and elicit improvements in health and fitness parameters. However, most of the research has taken place in a laboratory setting with specialized equipment and monitoring devices. It begs the question, is HIIT accessible to the general aging population? The objective of the current research was to employ an age-predicted HRmax to prescribe a minimally invasive 4x4 cycle ergometer HIIT protocol. Ten participants (age: 64.2 ± 6.1) completed a non-weight-bearing cycle ergometer protocol for 6 weeks. Significant Pearson correlations …

Sleep And Risk For Metabolic Syndrome, Hypertension, Diabetes And Obesity Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Philip Zendels, Trudy L. Moore-Harrison, Jane F. Gaultney

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(3): 88-102, 2022. Older adults often face a variety of health problems that are found less frequently in younger populations. Metabolic syndrome and other related diseases are common due to a variety of age and lifestyle factors. Sleep, often operationalized only as duration, quality, or apnea diagnosis, is associated with worse health outcomes across the lifespan. However, sleep is multi-faceted and may require a collection of measures in order to reflect this. This study examined a suite of self-reported sleep habits (risk for sleep apnea, night time duration, nap duration, quality, timing, and consistency of …

A Comparison Of Heat Treatment-Induced Skeletal Muscle Adaptations Relative To Exercise Training, Jamie P. Kaluhiokalani, Jack Mehling, Brandon Pfeifer, Mohadeseh Ahmadi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

In vitro and animal studies indicate that the response to heat stress is associated with beneficial adaptations that promote cell health and survival. Few studies to date have examined this finding in human subjects, and it is unclear how the adaptation compares in magnitude to exercise training. PURPOSE: To investigate the skeletal muscle adaptations (namely mitochondrial biogenesis and capillarization) of 6 weeks of deep-muscle heat treatment relative to exercise training. We hypothesized that heat treatment (HT), applied through pulsed shortwave diathermy (2 hr, 3 days/week) over a 6-week intervention period would lead to increased mitochondrial content and capillarity …

The Impact Of Faith Community Nursing Programs For Chronic Disease Screening And Management In Vulnerable Populations: A Comprehensive Review Of The Literature, Gabri Warren

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Faith Community Nursing (FCN) programs in the United States (U.S.) emerged in the 1980's; however, the intertwining of health promotion in religious institutions has been present for millennia. Today, challenges facing healthcare are prompting health care providers to find creative and cost-effective methods of providing care. Determining whether FCN positively impacts the health of individuals with limited access to healthcare services would encourage healthcare providers to collaborate with the specialty, reinforcing the benefit of their service. An integrative literature review was conducted to identify studies measuring the impact of FCN on the health outcomes of individuals with hypertension (Baig, Mangione, …

The Effect Of Compression Socks On Maximal Exercise Performance And Recovery In Insufficiently Active Adults, Alexander H.K. Montoye, Alexandra A. Mithen, Haven L. Westra, Summer S. Besteman, Brian C. Rider

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(7): 1036-1051, 2021. In athletic populations, compression socks (CS) may improve exercise performance recovery. However, their potential to improve performance and/or recovery following exercise in non-athletic populations is unknown. Our study evaluated the effects of CS on exercise performance and recovery from a graded maximal treadmill test. Insufficiently active adults (n = 10, 60% female, average physical activity ~60 minutes/week) performed two graded maximal exercise tests; one while wearing below-knee CS, and the other trial with regular socks (CON). Order of trials was randomized. For both trials, heart rate, lactate, and rating of perceived …

Effects Of Resistance Training On Muscle Quality Index, Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity, And Serum Immunoglobulin Levels Between Obese And Non-Obese Older Women, Paulo Silva, Dahan Da Cunha Nascimento, Ivo Vieira De Sousa Neto, Silvana Funghetto, Ramires Tibana, James W. Navalta, Fabiani Beal, Jonato Prestes

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(7): 707-726, 2021. Considering the negative impact of obesity on neuromuscular and immune systems, we sought to compare the effects of a 10-week resistance training (RT) program on muscle quality index (MQI), muscle strength, functional capacity, and immunoglobulins in older women with and without obesity. Thirty-nine older women participated in the present study (age: 69.02 ± 6.16, fat (%): 38.80% ± 6.28) and underwent a linear RT program performed on two non-consecutive days of the week. Body composition, functional tests, immunoglobulins, muscle quality of upper and lower limbs and absolute muscular strength of the upper …

Effect Of Huperzine A On Cognitive Function And Perception Of Effort During Exercise: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Trial, Chadsley M. Wessinger, Cynthia Inman, Jeremiah Weinstock, Edward Weiss

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(2): 727-741, 2021. Huperzine A has shown the ability to acutely improve cognitive function in certain populations, and therefore is commonly added to pre-workout supplements. However, its effects have not been studied in exercise-trained individuals. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that acute consumption of huperzine A would improve cognitive function during exercise, which may be beneficial for exercise performance. METHODS: From January to April, 2018, 15 exercise-trained individuals (11 women [height 166 ± 2 cm, weight 60.5 ± 3.0 kg] and 4 men [height 173 ± 4 cm, weight 82.0 ± 11.0 kg], BMI 23.5 ± 1.4 …

Social Engagement Of Nursing Home Residents: A Comparison Of Two Observation Methods, Annika Gabbard

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In Kentucky, low levels of physical activity and social engagement negatively impact health. This problem led to the creation of Bingocize®, an exercise program that combines the game of Bingo with intermittent exercises in a group setting to increase levels of positive affect, physical health, and, the focus of this study, social engagement. Since clear benefits of social engagement have been established, measurement and documentation of this behavior can assist in determining the level of potential benefit from Bingocize®. The purpose of this study was to compare the opinions of healthcare workers who have experience with Bingocize® on two measures …

Comparison Of Balance Variables Across Active And Retired Athletes And Age Matched Controls, Caitriona Lee, Neil Fleming, Bernard Donne

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 76-92, 2021. Postural control is a major falls risk factor, therefore identifying protective mechanisms is essential. Physical activity enhances postural stability but effect duration has been minimally researched. The current study investigated if prolonged early life training exposure protected neuromuscular balance processes later in life. Static and dynamic balance variables were assessed in 77 healthy adults. Two age ranges (18 - 35yr, young; > 50yr, retired) were divided into weight bearing athlete and control groups; young athlete (YA), young control (YC), retired athlete (RA) and retired control (RC). Static balance was quantified using force platform …

Crafting Character: Exploring Elder Identity Through Story, Cameron Fontes

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The following thesis is a culmination of several key activities I have engaged in as a creative writer with a single focus: to create fiction that employs the perspectives, the voices, of persons at later stages of their lives, a population vulnerable to disease and, more insidious, loneliness. First, I discuss my experiences reviving the Western Kentucky student organization Companions of Respected Elders. C.O.R.E. allowed undergraduates to work with local residential centers (nursing homes) by engaging their residents in the collaborative act of creating stories from picture prompts and encouraging questions, following the training and paradigm of TimeSlips^TM. …

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog, Wku Graduate School

Graduate School

Graduate School catalog regarding admissions, curriculum and policies.

Effect Of Acute Sleep Fragmentation Upon Inflammatory Response Of Brown And White Adipose Tissue In Male Mice, Zach Wriedt

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Sleep is an important process required for vertebrates, including humans, to function. When sleep is disrupted, it leads to deleterious effects such as inflammatory responses throughout the body. Past studies have shown that acute (24 h) sleep fragmentation (SF) leads to an inflammatory response in white adipose tissue. However, whether brown adipose tissue responds in a similar fashion is unknown. Male adult (>8 weeks of age) C57BL/6j mice were subjected to SF for 24 h using a cage outfitted with a bar that moves horizontally across the cage every 2 min to periodically awaken mice (N =10). Controls were …

Ua88 Wku Women's Alliance, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Unprocessed records created by the WKU Women's Alliance.