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Ua19/16/2 Ahletics Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases regarding general activities of the WKU Athletics Department for spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Soccer Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU soccer team in spring 2025.

Ua35/3 Provost's Message, Wku Provost

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2025 Provost's Messages issued to faculty & staff via email. Topics include awards, budget cuts, grants, Transdisciplinary Opportunity Program and administrative decisions.

Ua3/10 President's Messages - Spring Semester, Wku President's Office - Caboni

WKU Administration Documents

President's Message emails sent by Timothy Caboni to faculty & staff during spring semester, 2025.

• Accreditation
• Budget
• Buildings
• Cherry Hall Renovation
• Commencement
• Enrollment / Recruitment
• Legislation
• Semester Kickoff
• Semester Review
• Student Retention
• Summer Review

Ua19/16/2 Baseball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU baseball team in spring 2025.

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Associated With Physical Fitness And Activity Levels: An Exploratory Study Of Us College Students, Keegan T. Peterson, Gabrielle Barraco, Jennifer Niessner, Melissa Rodgers, Melissa Bopp

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 379-393, 2025. College students are a vulnerable population at risk of developing and/or experiencing poor physical fitness and insufficient physical activity (PA) levels, both associated with poor cardiometabolic health. Thus, this study assessed the association of physical fitness and domain-specific PA levels on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) among college students. A volunteer sample of students enrolled in general health and wellness courses at a large, Northeastern U.S. institution from Spring 2023 – Spring 2024 (n=1418, 69.0% male, 89.9% non-Hispanic White) completed an objective health assessment as part of a required course assignment. CMRFs (e.g., …

Comparative Effects Of Exercise And Glp-1 Ras On Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model: A Systematic Review, Sumera Afzal, Hira Attique Dr., Abdul Hameed Dr., Sumaira Imran Farooqui Prof.Dr, Sofia Amjad Dr.

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 363-378, 2025. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a major health problem worldwide having life-threatening complications causing mortality and a rise in prevalence. Effective treatment strategies are vital for managing diabetes and its associated complications including cardiovascular disease (CVD), nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. This systematic review aims to evaluate effective treatment approaches, focusing on the comparative effects of exercise and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in T2D rat models. Current pharmacological therapies primarily target glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. However, there is a growing concern in non-traditional approaches that involve exercise and GLP-1 RAs for …

Shielding The Skull: Exploring The Influence Of Facial Protection, Impact Location And Neck Stiffness On Hockey Helmet Safety During A Linear Impact, Leigh Jeffries, Dr.Meilan Liu, Dr. Paolo Sanzo, Dr. Eryk Przysucha, Dr. Carlos Zerpa

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 343-362, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/REVL1750 Originally designed to mitigate skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries in hockey players, hockey helmets have now become a critical focus for further research due to the rise in mild traumatic brain injuries. With the sport's evolution introducing stronger and faster players, new approaches that incorporate facial shielding in helmet technology and enhance athletes’ neck strength are needed to reduce concussion risks. This study pursued two primary objectives. Firstly, it sought to determine if a hockey helmet's stiffness fluctuated at different contact locations during static compression with the inclusion of facial …

Do Cheaters Prosper? Effect Of Externally Supplied Momentum During Resistance Training On Measures Of Upper Body Muscle Hypertrophy, Francesca Augustin, Jeff Nippard, Alec Pinero, Alysson Enes, Adam Mohan, Max Sapuppo, Max Coleman, Milo Wolf, Patroklos Androulakis Korakakis, Paul Swinton, Brad Schoenfeld

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 329-342, 2025. Exercise technique, defined as the controlled execution of bodily movements to ensure an exercise effectively targets specific muscle groups while minimizing the risk of injury, is a resistance training (RT) variable frequently highlighted as critical to successful RT program outcomes, with proper technique suggested to play a role in maximizing muscle development. This study examined the effects of externally applied momentum on RT-induced muscular adaptations in the upper extremities. Thirty young adults were recruited to participate in a within-participant design, with one limb randomly allocated to perform biceps curls and triceps pushdowns …

Dark Chocolate Elevates Resting Energy Expenditure In Postmenopausal Women, Aubrey L. Johnson, Michael Webster

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 316-328, 2025. Several recent reports have indicated positive health benefits of consuming (-)-epicatechin-rich cocoa products. Postmenopausal women are predisposed to reduced metabolism due to decreased levels and activity of the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and estradiol. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of dark chocolate consumption on resting and exercise metabolism in postmenopausal women. Using a randomized, double-blind design, 26 postmenopausal participants were assigned to a 30-day supplementation with 20-g per day of 72% dark chocolate (DC) or calorically matched white chocolate (WC). Before supplementation, participants underwent two control trials …

Perceived Changes In Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Stress During The Pandemic Predict Current Levels Of These Same Variables, Gretchen E. Elsey, Jessica L. Smith-Ricketts, David Kohan, Andrew Lepp, Jacob E. Barkley

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 306-315, 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions placed on daily life may have negatively impacted overall physical and psychological health as well as health behaviors such as decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior. It is important to understand if these potential changes during the pandemic may be predictive of current health behaviors where pandemic-related restrictions are no longer being implemented. This study aimed to assess the relationships between perceived changes in physical activity, sitting, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic to current measures of these same variables. In April 2022, participants …

The Effects Of Intermittent Sprint Training On Running Economy And Leg Stiffness In Highly Trained Runners, Drew Thibault, Connor Ellis, Garrett B. Toms, Allison Schaefer, David Titcomb

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 290-305, 2025. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of once-weekly sprint training on running economy (RE) and leg stiffness (LS) in highly trained athletes (12 M, 13 F, mean age 24.8 ± 7.1). Participants were recruited based on weekly exercise volume (minimum 4 hours) and athletic ability calculated by World Athletics score (minimum 500). RE and LS were evaluated at three velocities before and after 12 weeks of once-weekly sprint training. On average, participants experienced a non-statistically significant improvement in RE (average percent change -2.0 ± 5.6%, -1.2 ± 5.2%, …

Treatment Related Exercise And Supportive Care Needs Of People Living With And Beyond Breast Cancer, Elise Legault, Dominique Matthys, Lise Gauvin, Isabelle Doré, Alain Steve Comtois Phd, François B. Tournoux Dr, Paula A. B. Ribeiro

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 276-289, 2025. People living with and beyond breast cancer (LWBBC) experience different side effects relative to the type of medical treatments they received which may influence their needs for additional supportive care. Investigating people LWBBC’s needs according to treatment regimen may guide decision making about supportive care priorities. The study’s objectives were to identify individuals LWBBC’s needs for supportive care and to determine exercise program participation facilitators according to treatment type. A survey assessing the needs for supportive care and exercise facilitators was distributed on the Facebook pages of five non-profit Canadian cancer organizations …

Newsletter, Wku Staff Senate

Staff Council

Newsletter created by WKU Staff Council to report on work accomplished.

Learn By Doing: A Flipped Classroom Approach To Teaching Exercise Testing And Prescription, Zakkoyya H. Lewis

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

The purpose of this paper is to describe a case-study based flipped classroom approach for teaching exercise testing and prescription. The goal of this approach is to provide students with supervised “real world” experience while also exposing students to diverse populations (e.g. health, age, culture, employment, ability). Students will complete a client interview, conduct a complete fitness assessment included a graded exercise test, and develop an individualized exercise prescription. The flipped classroom is intended to be incorporated into an in-person advanced level course, ideally less than 20 students per section. Completion of an introductory level exercise testing and prescription course …

Using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis To Determine The Effects Of Footwear On Postural Dynamics In Children, Samantha Martinez, Crystal S. Trevino, Bryon C. Applequist

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

Footwear, particularly stiff-soled shoes, can impact postural control in young children during a critical period of motor development. While proprioception plays a key role in maintaining balance, shoes may restrict natural movement, potentially affecting overall posture and proprioceptive abilities. This study examines how stiff-soled footwear influences postural control during quiet standing in children. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the influence of stiff-soled footwear on postural control in young children by analyzing balance and stability during quiet standing. Specifically, we assessed whether wearing footwear with various degrees of stiffness influenced the temporal correlations of center of pressure (COP). …

Treadmill Training Program For A Non-Ambulatory Individual With Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Krysta V. Rivero Romero, Vanessa Mikan Phd, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: 26-year-old Caucasian male. Primary medical history includes spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, otherwise negative health history. Presented to human performance laboratory for case study of pre- and post-exercise training cardiorespiratory fitness testing. PHYSICAL EXAM: Patient examination indicated bilateral upper and lower limb contractures, and bilateral upper and lower limb spasticity. Hyperlordosis was also noted. Patient had a limited range of motion across hip, knee, and ankle, and was unable to walk without support on a motorized treadmill. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES: General: Alert and oriented. Neural: spastic upper and lower extremities. Musculoskeletal: upper and lower extremity contractures. TESTS & RESULTS …

Mitochondrial Function In T-Cells: The Impact Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Body Fat In Men And Women, Nathan Fuentes, Emily Lavoy, Charlie Hodgman, Rebeka Hunt, Justin Crane, Micheal Herskowitz

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: Determine whether T-cell mitochondria differ in women and men categorized by cardiorespiratory fitness and percent body fat. METHODS: 9 women (age: (mean ± standard deviation) 29.2 ± 6.8 years) and 17 men (age: 28.0 ± 6.3 years) visited our laboratory for a body fat scan, donate blood sample and complete a VO2max test. For the VO2max test, participants were fitted with a heart rate monitor and a mask for breath analysis with a metabolic cart. Participants cycled on bicycle ergometer with the resistance increased 20 watts/minute until volitional exhaustion. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and stained …

The Effect Of Footwear And Speed On Nonlinear Variability Of Runners, Kaleb Luna, Becca Henicke, Bryon C. Applequist

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The high incidence of foot and lower leg injury in adult walkers and runners and its relationship with footwear is a problem that has been investigated exhaustively (Barnes & Smith, 1994; Herzog, 2012; Knapik et al., 2014; Tancred, 1996).Traditionally, measures such as stride length, step length, step width, stride time and step time, as well as kinematic (joint angles) and kinetic (forces) measures have been used to quantify gait (Chang et al., 2006, Diop et al., 2005, Diop et al., 2004, Samson et al., 2009). These measures are important, but may not reveal the mechanism, or mechanisms affecting gait. Many …

Balance Control During Stair Descent In Older Adults, David Wyatt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Falls during step descent are a significant risk for older adults, often hindering independence in daily activities such as stair descent and stepping off curbs. This study examines the effects of gait width and foot angle on stability and control during step descent. PURPOSE: To determine whether a wider gait with a 30-degree foot angle improves stability and reduces the risk of falls, thereby supporting safer and more independent mobility in older adults. METHODS: Participants aged 18-25 and 70-79, with no known gait impairments or balance disorders, performed a 14 cm step descent using a normal gait and a wider …

Changes In Phase Angle And Lean Body Mass During 6-Week Offseason Mesocycle In Collegiate Club Rugby Players, Alexis Rodriguez, Brandon Large, Tyler Large, Jmya Hughes, Micheil Spillane

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Phase angle (PhA) is the relationship between reactance (Xc) and resistance ratio (R) current that flows through the cellular tissue, which can be measured via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) when measuring body composition. Due to the availability and ease of use, phase angle has been adopted and used in clinical nutrition to track various disease states, from malnutrition to cancer cachexia, and other muscle-wasting diseases. Since PhA reflects cellular water content and rapid changes in cellular health, applications for athlete performance tracking have shown promise. Resistance training is highly effective for enhancing PhA when adopting high-intensity volumes and durations for …

The Effect Of A Short-Term Antibiotic Cycle On Blood Biomarkers In Adults With Overweight And Obesity, Anne George, Melissa Fernandez Alonso, Ashlyn Dooley, Matthew Loritz, Jessica Mrosla, Olivia Landis, Katelyn Harnen, Genevieve Aiwonegbe, Meggan Duncan, Angela Berry, Jaidyn Hooper, Sarah Mckinley-Barnard, Elisa Marroquine, Ryan R. Porter

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

It has been demonstrated in previous literature that early-life antibiotic exposure may contribute to metabolic dysfunction related to the development of overweight and obesity later in life. More recent studies suggest an additional relationship between antibiotic exposure beyond early life and obesity, as well as insulin resistance. However, there are a limited number of studies reporting the effects of short-term antibiotic exposure on insulin resistance and other blood biomarkers. PURPOSE: This study investigates the effects of short-term antibiotic exposure on insulin resistance and other blood biomarkers. METHODS: This study is part of a larger ongoing investigation examining the …

Shoe Heel-Toe Drop Affects Running Economy, Kaleigh Renninger, Owen N. Beck

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

In distance running, using less metabolic energy at a given speed improves endurance performance. Athletes can decrease their metabolic energy expenditure during running (improve their running economy) by improving their running mechanics. One way to elicit economical running mechanics is to use running shoes with specific characteristics, such as the ideal heel-toe drop. Wearing shoes with a higher heel-toe drop increases ankle plantar flexion, in turn decreasing the operating lengths of the underlying calf muscles. Given that producing force with muscles at shorter operating lengths increases their metabolic energy expenditure, we hypothesized that running in shoes with a higher heel-toe …

Relationship Of Hip Range Of Motion And Peak Braking Force In Diii Female Athletes, Katyanna Colburn, Nikolas Keratsopoulos, Jaci Kelly, Kindyle Brennan, Peggie Williamson, Laurel Proulx, Mandy E. Parra

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Pelvic floor (PF) dysfunctions have a wide variety of symptoms, with urinary incontinence (UI) being one of the most common in elite level sports. Symptoms of PF dysfunction often reduce the number of women participating in athletics and can prevent them from ideal levels of physical activity. Previous studies have shown hip strength does correlate with SUI severity in the general population, but correlation of hip function and landing kinematics has not been made in athletes that undergo more impact than the general population. This study may help to identify PF preliminary indicators of dysfunction in female athletes by understanding …

The Comparison Of Time To Peak Rapid Force Production In Division One Collegiate Male Football, Track, And Basketball Players, Anthony M. Rogers Jr, Matthew P. Gonzalez, Samuel Montalvo, Sandor Dorgo

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sports such as football (FB), track (TR), and basketball (BB) use movements that require rapid force development in order to be successful. An athlete’s ability to generate power is vital for performance in these sports. While many studies have looked at rapid force development in one sport, there is a paucity of research when comparing athletes across different sports for their time to peak force development. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare male FB, BB, and TR athletes’ time to peak force and rate of development performance. METHODS: A total of 138 athletes (n=14 BB, n=108 FB, …

Paraspinal And Gastrocnemii Response To Shod And Barefoot Running With Rearfoot And Forefoot Landing, Shivaniba Gohil

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Barefoot (BF) and shod (S) running with conditions at heel landing (HS) and forefoot landing (FF) has impact on shock attenuation at the foot through the trunk. Muscle activation is crucial to understand the response of the system to vertical loading of the system during running. Purpose: This study investigated muscle activation in the gastrocnemii and lumbar paraspinal (LP) muscles during barefoot (BF) and shod (S) running with heel strike (HS) and forefoot strike (FF) landings to understand neuromuscular responses to vertical loading. Methods: Sixteen female collegiate runners (20.4 ± 3.2 yrs, 59.4 ± 7.7 kg, 1.63 ± 0.07 m) …

Association Of Urinary Incontinence And Landing Forces In Nulliparous Athletes, Nikolas Keratsopoulos, Jaci Kelly, Kindyle Brennan, Peggie Williamson, Laurel Proulx, Mandy E. Parra

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Pelvic floor (PF) research in nulliparous athletes is emerging to better monitor PF health in female athletes who undergo high impact forces which may cause stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during activity. The link between the pelvic floor and deceleration is not well understood in an active population. This may help clinicians to better diagnose and prevent UI and PF dysfunction. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between peak braking forces and urinary incontinence in Division III acrobatics and tumbling athletes. METHODS: Twenty-one female acrobatic and tumbling athletes volunteered for this study. Data was filtered …

The Associations Between Pulmonary Function And Body Composition Parameters In Healthy, Non-Smoking Adults, Leroy K. Bolden, Tomas J. Chapman-Lopez, Olivia Russell, Mary C. Pickler, Andrew R. Gallucci

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Spirometry, or pulmonary function testing, is a commonly used method to assess lung function and to determine the severity of lung disease (e.g., COPD, Asthma). Current literature has identified relationships between pulmonary function and body composition in athletes and individuals suffering from various diseases (e.g., COPD, Asthma). However, there is limited research establishing this relationship in metabolically healthy individuals (e.g., healthy, overweight, obese). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between body composition and pulmonary function in metabolically healthy, non-smoking adults. METHODS: 109 participants (51=M and 58=F, age = 42.3 ± 11.4, BF% 24.8 …

Acute Effects Of An Investigational Pre-Workout Supplement On Mood And Safety In Resistance Trained Males: A Proof-Of-Concept, Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Study, Rocky Conejos, Christopher M. Lockwood, Neil A. Schwarz, Emma K. Mueller, Hunter Schurrer, Brandi Harstedt, Arlie Gooch

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Caffeine-containing multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS), marketed as improving physical performance acutely, are a particularly popular category within sports nutrition and yet finished products are rarely clinically evaluated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized, controlled, crossover study was to examine the acute effects of an investigational MIPS formula when used by experienced resistance trained consumers of high-stimulant MIPS. METHODS: Eighteen (n=18) US military veteran, adult males (40.6 ± 1.7 yrs; 90.2 ± 2.2 kg; 28.7 ± 0.6 BMI; mean ± SEM) completed familiarization and 2 randomly assigned and counter-balanced lab visits, separated by 5±1 days between visits. Resting heartrate …

Acute Effects Of An Investigational Pre-Workout Supplement On Neuromuscular And Exercise Performance In Resistance Trained Males: A Proof-Of-Concept, Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Study, Christopher M. Lockwood, Neil Schwarz, Rocky Conejos, Emma K. Mueller, Hunter Schurrer, Brandi Harstedt, Arlie Gooch

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Caffeine-containing multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS), marketed as improving physical performance acutely, are a particularly popular category within sports nutrition and yet finished products are rarely clinically evaluated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized, controlled, crossover study was to examine the acute effects of an investigational MIPS formula when used by experienced resistance trained consumers of high-stimulant MIPS. METHODS: Eighteen (n=18) US military veteran, adult males (40.6 ± 1.7 yrs; 90.2 ± 2.2 kg; 28.7 ± 0.6 BMI; mean ± SEM) completed familiarization and 2 randomly assigned and counter-balanced lab visits, separated by 5±1 days between visits. Reaction testing …