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The Effects Of Combined Aquatic Exercise On Physical Performance And Metabolic Indices In Overweight Healthy Older Adults, Shiva Ebrahimpour Nosrani, Bakhtyar Tartibian, Rasoul Eslami, Carlos Farinha, João Serrano, José Pedro Ferreira, Ana Maria Texeira

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(4): 1499-1513, 2023. Addressing overweight and obesity to promote healthy aging is essential. Exercise is an outstanding approach to manage metabolic and physical dysfunction. Aquatic exercise has been recommended for older individuals due to reduced weight pressure on joints. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of twenty-eight weeks of combined aquatic exercise (aerobic and resistance) in overweight healthy older individuals. Thirty-two subjects of both genders with mean age of 72.06 ± 5.8 years were randomly assigned into two groups: an aquatic exercise group (EG; n = 19) and a control group …

Body Mass Index Superior To Body Adiposity Index In Predicting Adiposity In Female Collegiate Athletes., Annika Grams, Anthony Acevedo, Riley Morton, Payton Price, Kyli Alvarez, Malia Nowlen, Estephania Campa, Zachary Zeigler

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(4): 1487-1498, 2023. Body mass index (BMI) is moderately correlated with %Fat and often used to assess obesity in athletes. Limited research assesses BMI as a surrogate for %Fat in female collegiate athletes. Body Adiposity Index (BAI) is an anthropometric measurement suggested to be superior to BMI at predicting adiposity but has not been well assessed within female athletic populations. This study aimed to determine if BAI is superior to other anthropometric indices to predict %Fat in female collegiate athletes and college-aged female non-athletes. Collegiate female athletes and female non-athletes were invited into the laboratory …

Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, Exercise Dependence And Fueling Strategies In Trail Runners, Keely Henniger, Kelly Pritchett, Namrita Kumar Brooke, Leah Dambacher

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 1471-1486, 2023. Under fueling, disordered eating (DE), exercise dependence (EXD), and high training demands relative to energy intake may increase the risk of low energy availability (LEA) in endurance and ultra-endurance athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of LEA risk and relationship with risk of DE, EXD, and fueling habits during training and competition in endurance runners. Trail runners between the age of 18-40 (n = 1,899; males: n = 510, females: n = 1,445) completed a 45-question survey using Qualtrics that included training and racing characteristics, questions …

Lipid Genetics In Pregnant Women: Maneuvering The Challenges Of Using Degraded Samples, Kylee Meece

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The results of this project will explore a novel approach to lipid metabolism in pregnant women by exploring the relationship between maternal gene expression of genes critical for fat metabolism, protein expression, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study will also examine gene expression in lean pregnant women compared to obese pregnant women, shedding light into the adverse pathology of obesity during pregnancy. These findings may uncover a mechanism related to gene-expression that connects unfavorable maternal fat metabolism to inflammation and/or insulin resistance, which may help to uncover future targets for interventions.

The analysis of lipid gene expression requires the …

Lumina: Illuminating The World Of Holistic Beverage Branding With Switchel, Lily Lang

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This Capstone Experience project establishes a compelling brand identity for the beverage switchel, under the name Lumina. Through a comprehensive branding blueprint, a strategic framework is crafted to guide brand development. This framework encompasses industry, competitor, and strategic analyses alongside consumer insights, a communication strategy, and cost of implementing ideas. With these insights, the project extends beyond theoretical constructs to practical applications, including label design, and website prototyping. By integrating elements of advertising and design, this project aims to not only reimagine switchel, but also to establish Lumina as a distinctive and resonant presence in the beverage industry. Through strategic …

Food Accessibility Struggles For College Students With Dietary Restrictions, Ella Schleuning

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

College is a time when many students experience independence for the first time in their lives. This is the first time they have had to do their laundry on their own, keep their room clean, and maybe most importantly, they are responsible for figuring out where they are going to eat every day, for every meal. The focus of this study is on food accessibility struggles for college students, specifically looking at Western Kentucky University’s (WKU) food on-campus, as well as students with dietary restrictions.

Since college is the first-time students are responsible for their own meals, it can often …

The Protective Role Of Melanin Within The Teleost Inner Ear, Gabriel Heckerman

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Melanin is the dark pigment responsible for influencing the color of bodily structures, and it is variably present throughout human and animal tissue. Melanin is also found within the mammalian inner ear, and it has been observed that a lack of melanin is associated with greater susceptibility to sensorineural hearing loss. In this study, melanin levels of the inner ears of different color morphs of the fish species Poecilia latipinna and Cyprinus carpio were measured and the potential protective role of that melanin from acoustical stress was examined. Previous research showed that black morphs of both species exhibited less noise-induced …

Effect Of Dietary Flavonoids On Growth In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Vivian Rivera

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Plant foods contain a diversity of biologically active compounds called phytochemicals, produced by plant species as secondary metabolites. A phytochemical group known as flavonoids has received much scientific attention in recent times with respect to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory roles. This investigation examined how quercetin and naringenin, the most common dietary flavonoids, affect growth potential of yeast under optimal and stress conditions (temperature, glucose, and oxidative stress). Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, a dose dependency effect of quercetin and naringenin was observed under optimal conditions when liquid cultures were treated with three different concentrations (75 μM, 150 μM, and …

Physical Characteristics, Movement Pattern And Heart Rate Response Of Indian Cricketers During Batting In Twenty20 (T20) Matches, Subhashis Biswas, Rupayan Bhattacharya, Arnab Das

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(6): 1413-1425, 2023. The study aims to provide a morphological profile of Indian cricketers and find physiological demands and positional differences of the batsmen in T20 matches according to their batting order. Eighty-three male cricketers (age: 17.93 ± 2.23 years) participated in this study and categorized into upper-order (n = 36), middle-order (n = 35) and lower-order (n = 12) batsmen. Height, weight, body fat%, and somatotype were measured. Movement analysis and heart rate (HR) responses were recorded during batting in T20 matches using PolarV800 smart-watch and H7 HR sensor. Descriptive statistics, …

Perceived Fatigue And Physical Activity Enjoyment Following Indoor And Outdoor Moderately Heavy Superset Resistance Training, Korina K. Ziegler, Aaron Mckenzie, Wesley Ziegler, Spencer Maxwell, Bryson Carrier, Charli Aguilar, Alexandra Routsis, Talon Thorton, Jae Bovell, Setareh Zarei, Devin Green, Kathryn Lei A. Lavin, Amanda Hawkes, Jeffrey Cowley, Merrill Funk, James W. Navalta Facsm, Marcus M. Lawrence

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ACSM has again determined that resistance training (RT) and outdoor activities are two of the top ten worldwide fitness trends for 2023. We previously found that RT outdoors had a significantly lower perception of effort (RPE) compared to indoor RT, despite no physiological differences in heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE). However, no study has examined other feelings during RT in indoor or outdoor settings. PURPOSE: To determine how indoor or outdoor environments effect perceptions of fatigue and physical activity enjoyment following RT in recreationally resistance trained adults. METHODS: Twenty-three adult participants (n=10 female, n=13 male) completed …

Repetition Count Concurrent Validity Of Various Garmin Wrist Watches During Light Circuit Resistance Training, Wesley F. Ziegler, Bryson Carrier, Charli D. Aguilar, David Pearce, Jocelyn M Graffius, Brynlie Ellingford, Wyatt Fullmer, Jeffrey Cowley, Merrill Funk, Nathaniel Bodell, James W. Navalta Facsm, Marcus M. Lawrence

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Wearable technology and strength training with free weights are two of the top 5 fitness trends worldwide. However, minimal physiological research has been conducted on the two together and none have measured the accuracy of devices measuring repetition counts across exercises. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of four wrist-worn Garmin devices, Instinct (x2), Fenix 6 Pro, and Vivoactive 3, to record repetition counts while performing 4 different exercises during circuit resistance training. METHODS: Twenty participants (n=10 female, n=10 male; age: 23.2 ± 7.7 years) completed this study. Participants completed 4 circuits …

The Effectiveness Of Running Power As A Metric Of Exercise Intensity During Running Interval Training, Eric A. Lambert, Dustin W. Davis, Matahn Blank, Tashari A. Carballo, Elias M. Malek, Kathryn Lei A. Lavin, Thea Sweder, Nicole Argueta, Marcus M. Lawrence, James W. Navalta, Jeffrey Cowley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Wearable power meters are increasingly popular among runners with Coros and Stryd offering running power as a real-time, trackable of a metric. PURPOSE: This study compared running power (RP) to physiological measures, heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO₂), across high and low intensity running intervals. METHODS: Thirteen adult participants (n = 6 male; height = 174.9 ± 6.9 cm; mass = 72.5 ± 12.0 kg) were equipped with a Stryd 27 RP meter, a Polar H10 HR monitor, and a Cosmed K5 portable metabolic unit. Participants’ self-selected RP was obtained during a 10-min run on …

Rating Of Perceived Exertion, Average Heart Rate, And Energy Expenditure Following Indoor And Outdoor Moderately Heavy Superset Resistance Training, Spencer M. Maxwell, Bryson Carrier, Charli Aguilar, Korina Ziegler, Aaron Mckenzie, Wesley Zeigler, Alexandra Routsis, Talon Thorton, Setareh (Star) Zarei, Devin Green, Jae Bovell, Kathryn A. Lavin, Amanda Hawkes, Jeffrey C. Cowley, Merrill Funk, James W. Navalta Facsm, Marcus M. Lawrence

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Our lab recently found that light intensity circuit resistance training outdoors had a significantly lower perception of effort (RPE) compared to indoor resistance training, despite no physiological differences in heart rate and energy expenditure. However, no study has examined other intensities or set schemes in differing environmental settings. PURPOSE: To determine how indoor or outdoor environments effect rating of perceived exertion (RPE) following light and moderately heavy intensity superset resistance training in recreationally resistance trained adults. METHODS: Twenty-three adult participants completed this study (n=10 female, n=13 male; age: 26.1±8.8 yrs; height: 172.2±9.5 cm; mass: 73.4±18.7 kg; RT experience: …

Heart Rate And Energy Expenditure Concurrent Validity Of Identical Garmin Wrist Watches During Moderately Heavy Resistance Training, Talon Thornton, Wesley Ziegler, Spencer Maxwell, Aaron Mckenzie, Alexandra Routsis, Korina Ziegler, Bryson Carrier, Charli Aguilar, Devin Green, Jae Bovell, Kathryn A. Lavin, Setareh (Star) Zarei, Jeffrey C. Cowley, Amanda Hawkes, Merrill Funk, James W. Navalta Facsm, Marcus M. Lawrence

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Consistent with previous years, ACSM has found that wearable technology and resistance training (RT) are two of the top 5 fitness trends in 2023. Our lab recently found that wrist-worn devices, such as Garmin Instinct, are neither valid nor reliable at measuring average or maximal heart rate (HR) or estimating energy expenditure (EE) following light intensity circuit RT. We postulated that the errors may have been due to the device’s algorithms assuming higher intensity during RT. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of identical Garmin Instinct wrist-watches to record valid measures of average …

Validity And Reliability Of The Garmin Instinct In Measuring Heart Rate During Pickleball, Setareh Zarei, Samantha Cruz, Tashari A. Carballo, Bryson Carrier, Dustin W. Davis, Jae Bovell, Thea Sweder, Matahn Blank, Elias M. Malek, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Playing a racquet sport called pickleball is increasing in popularity every day in the United States. Garmin is a popular brand that manufactures wearable fitness trackers capable of measuring heart rate (HR). Because HR is a common way to determe exercise intensity, the validity and reliability of wearables to provide accurate HR during pickleball is important. PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze and assess the validity and reliability of HR from the Garmin Instinct vs. Polar H10 (criterion) during pickleball. METHODS: Eleven adults (2 female, 8 male, 1 prefer not to disclose; age = 28.1 ± 9.2 years; …

Bicycle Handlebar Width Does Not Affect Spirometry, Ventilation, Or Gas Exchange, Matthew J. Fahey, Daniel T. Cannon

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Bicycle fit may affect comfort, aerodynamics, efficiency, ventilation, and power generation. Handlebars determine how the rider interacts with the bicycle. A wide range of handlebar widths are commercially available, but it is unclear if the resultant position affects lung function, ventilation, gas exchange, or efficiency. PURPOSE We aimed to measure the effects of handlebar widths on ventilation, gas exchange, spirometry, and comfort during moderate constant power exercise. METHODS Twenty-four recreationally active adults completed the study (32 ± 5 yrs., 175 ± 9 cm, 74 ± 12 kg, 8 women, 16 men). Participants completed three moderate constant power bouts of exercise …

Validity And Reliability Of The Polar Oh1 Biceps-Band Heart Rate Monitor During Pickleball, Jamaal K. Bovell, Dustin W. Davis, Bryson Carrier, Setareh Zarei, Tashari A. Carballo, Matahn Blank, Thea Sweder, Samantha Cruz, Elias M. Malek, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Pickleball is making a name for itself as one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), 14% of Americans 18 years and over (~36.5 million people) played pickleball at least once in 12 months. With almost half of the total players planning to play more often in the upcoming months, pickleball is certain to continue its ascension. It is unclear if paying intensity can be gauged accurately and reliably with heart rate (HR) measurements from biceps-band monitors. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Polar …

Assessing The Reliability Of Stryd 27 For Variable Speed Running, Kathryn A. Lavin, Dustin W. Davis, Matahn Blank, Tashari A. Carballo, Elias M. Malek, Thea Sweder, Eric Lambert, Nicole Argueta, Marcus M. Lawrence, Jeffrey Cowley, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Wearable technology is beneficial when it comes to tracking and optimizing performance. The Stryd 27 is a wearable footpod marketed as being more responsive in measuring power during running than the previous version (Stryd 25). However, the reliability of this newer device to return consistent values has not been determined. PURPOSE: This study aimed to observe whether Stryd 27 gives reliable metrics during variable speed running. METHODS: Sixteen participants (N = 16; 50% female; height = 174.1 ± 8.1 cm; mass = 73.0 ± 12.4 kg) were recruited, each equipped with two Stryd 27 footpods (updated to the same …

The Effects Of Initiating A 24-Hour Fast With A Low Versus A High Carbohydrate Shake On Pancreatic Hormones In The Elderly: A Randomized Crossover Study, Mckay Knowlton, Landon Deru, Bruce W. Bailey

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Begin PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to understand how the macronutrient composition of the fast-initiating meal influences glucose regulating hormones during, and 24-hours after a 24-hour fast in older, sedentary, and abdominally obese adults. Understanding these outcomes will inform fasting protocols such as time restricted eating and alternate day fasting, which offer potential long-term health benefits. METHODS: We had 16 participants (7 male, 9 female). Each participant completed two 24-hour fasts (water only). In random order, one fast began with a high carb/low fat (HC/LF) shake and the other with a low carbohydrate/high fat shake (LC/HF) (equal calorie, …

Co-Ingestion Of Dietary Nitrate And Ascorbic Acid On Nitric Oxide Biomarkers And The Oral Microbiome In Sedentary Hispanic Women, Jeffrey Li, Keonabelle K. Paniagua, Joanna P. Powell, Sean T. Karl, Isabella G. Lincoln, Noelle G. Seekamp-Hicks, Leah T. Stiemsma, Rachel Tan

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Nitric oxide bioavailability increases following nitrate supplementation wherein oral microbiota facilitate the metabolism and absorption of nitrate. However, few studies have examined if co-ingestion of nitrate with antioxidants can further elevate nitric oxide bioavailability. Moreover, our understanding on how the oral microbiome responds to nitrate supplementation is limited, especially in women. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of ingesting dietary nitrate and ascorbic acid independently and concurrently on markers of nitric oxide bioavailability and oral microbiota species. METHODS: Twelve sedentary women of Hispanic descent (mean ± SD: age 20 ± 1 years; body mass 74 ± 15 kg; height …

Acute Beetroot Juice Ingestion Increases Nitric Oxide Bioavailability Without Changing Oral Microbial Composition In Healthy Young Women, Alexandra C. Zink, Courtney Merrill, Jeffrey Li, Luka K. Sharabidze, Leah T. Stiemsma, Rachel Tan

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Dietary nitrate supplementation can elicit beneficial health and exercise performance effects. Oral microbiota are critical for the metabolism of exogenously consumed nitrate; however, limited data are available on the influence of dietary nitrate ingestion on bacterial taxa and in women. PURPOSE: To investigate if acute dietary nitrate ingestion alters the oral microbiota in young healthy women compared to a nitrate-depleted placebo. METHODS: In a randomized double-blinded crossover design, fifteen recreationally active women (mean ± SD: age 20 ± 1 years; body mass 63 ± 10 kg; height 1.68 ± 0.1 m) participated in two conditions to ingest nitrate-rich …

Does Hand Use Affect Metabolic Measures During Pickleball, Tashari A. Carballo, Matahn Blank, Bryson Carrier, Samantha Cruz, Jae Bovell, Dustin W. Davis, Thea Sweder, Elias M. Malek, Setareh Zarei, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Pickleball is one of the fastest up and coming sports in the United States today. This low impact sport has the combined elements of Ping-Pong, tennis, and badminton. Pickleball can be played with the dominant hand (DH) or non-dominant (NDH). Though many people enjoy the sport, it is under-researched. The metabolic demands of pickleball are not clear, nor is whether the demands differ by the hand used. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the differences in metabolic measures while playing pickleball with the DH and NDH. METHODS: Eleven people were recruited via convenience sampling and participated (2 …

Stryd 25 Vs. Stryd 27: Comparing Running Metrics Between A Predecessor And “The Next Gen Stryd”, Dustin W. Davis, Matahn A. Blank, Tashari A. Carballo, Elias M. Malek, Kathryn A. Lavin, Thea S. Sweder, Eric A. Lambert, Nicole Argueta, Marcus M. Lawrence, Jeffrey Cowley, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Wearable technology has claimed the top spot in the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends in all but two years since 2016. A popular wearable among runners is the Stryd power meter. The company markets its latest model, the Stryd 27, as 5x more responsive in measuring running power. Yet, it is unclear whether the new model performs differently than its predecessor. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare running metrics of the Stryd 25 and Stryd 27 in self-paced and interval runs. METHODS: Participants consented (N = 16; 50% female; height = 174.1 ± 8.1 centimeters [cm]; mass …

Social Jetlag Inhibits Exercise-Induced Adaptations In The Heart And Alters Markers Of Mitochondrial Dynamics, Graham R. Mcginnis, Michael B. Dial, Elias M. Malek, Greco Neblina, Austin Cooper, Nikoleta Vasileva, Tanner Erwin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Social jetlag (SJL), or the shifting of behavior and sleep times between weekdays and weekends, is a pervasive form of circadian rhythm disruption that affects nearly 70% of the population to some extent. The magnitude of SJL can be determined by the difference in the mid-sleep phase between weekends and weekdays. Higher levels of SJL have been associated with lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, and increased incidence of cardiometabolic disease, which may be due, in part, to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, no studies to date have evaluated the effects of long term SJL on cardiac mitochondrial dynamics. PURPOSE: To determine …

Effects Of Partial Hot Water Immersion On Postprandial Blood Glucose And Heart Rate Variability, Jeff Moore, Michael Buono

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The acute effects of heat therapy on glycemic markers oppose those of the chronic effects. While the postprandial glucose response is exaggerated during whole body heat exposure, chronic heat exposure lowers HbA1c. Additionally, the acute effects of heat therapy differ depending on the amount of body exposed to heat. Heating a single hand does not increase fasting glucose and lowers postprandial glucose. The opposing effects of partial and whole body heat exposure could be mediated in part from increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity following heat stress. While heating the body increases muscular blood flow and glucose uptake, SNS activation …

Evaluation Of Caloric Expenditure Metrics Of Garmin Instinct Wearable Technology Devices During Pickleball, Matahn A. Blank, Dustin W. Davis, Bryson Carrier, Tashari A. Carballo, Jae K. Bovell, Thea Sweder, Samantha Cruz, Zhihao Yu, Setareh Zarei, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

While tennis and badminton may present a moderate learning curve for beginners, pickleball, a similar racquet sport that has become increasingly popular in recent years, offers a notably simpler play-style that can be more easily adapted for new players. This sport has emerged during a time when wearable technology devices, such as the Garmin Instinct, have become commonly used to estimate physiological measures among individuals engaging in physical activity. Yet, there is little research that examines the validity and reliability of this technology during pickleball. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of …

Five Minutes Of Psychological Skills Training Intervention Increase Mental Toughness Levels In Females Athletes, Alex J. Barber, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Mental toughness (MT) is conceptualized as a dynamic psychological resource conducive to goal-oriented pursuits and linked with sport performance outcomes. Despite the recognized importance of psychological interventions in sports, constraints often hinder their implementation during competitive seasons, especially on the individual level. Female representation in MT research remains limited. Psychological Skills Training (PST) is a systematic approach used in sport psychology to enhance athletes’ mental skills and abilities. PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of a brief, face-to-face, individualized PST intervention on MT levels among female athletes. METHODS: All 14 members of a Division III female volleyball team ( …

Effects Of Home-Based Electrical Exercise On Energy Index And Spasticity In Those With Spinal Cord Injury, Lauren Gonyo, Eric Heidorn, John Mcdaniel, Cody S. Dulaney

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Appropriate levels of physical activity are important to optimize well-being. Often, individuals with physical disabilities encounter barriers when attempting to engage in physical activity, such as lacking transportation or access to adapted activity equipment. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected high-risk populations' accessibility to physical activity, such as individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), which can greatly reduce mobility and increase disease susceptibility. Home-based exercise has been shown useful for improving flexibility and reducing spasticity. Additionally, the home-based exercise would remove transportation requirements and reduce the spread of disease, specifically COVID-19, during the pandemic. PURPOSE: The purpose of this …

Exploring The Role Of Mental Toughness In Bone Mineral Content: A Preliminary Study, Marissa Zeno, Tomas Chapman-Lopez, Ricardo Torres, Jordan Ledington, Madelin R. Siedler, Christian Rodriguez, Jeff S. Forsse, Grant M. Tinsley, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Bone mineral content (BMC), a measure of the mineral content within a person’s bones, is an important parameter in the assessment of bone health. Changes in BMC can be indicative of bone-related conditions. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is one of the most widely used and accurate methods for measuring BMC. Sex, age, race, and BMI are known to influence BMC. Physical activity is positively related to BMC levels. Mental toughness (MT) is conceptualized as a state-like psychological resource conducive to goal-oriented pursuits and is positively linked to physical activity outcomes. The relationship between MT and BMC has not been explored. …

Pediatric Obesity And Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes – A Five Year Journey, Sharon Martino, Peter Morelli, Cristofer Zillo, Jason Zhang, Kelly Warren

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

Pediatric obesity is a serious health issue, recently amplified by the COVID -19 pandemic. Obesity affects nearly 30% of children and adolescents and is associated with unfavorable health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and low self-esteem. Sadly, over 70% of obese adolescents will become obese adults. The Fit Kids for Life (FKFL) program is an interdisciplinary pediatric obesity program that enlists faculty and students from several health professions including medicine, physical therapy, nursing, and athletic training and delivers a 10-week nutrition, physical activity and behavioral modification program to children, ages 8-17, with a BMI ≥ 85^{th …}