Digital Commons Network^™

Improvements In Flexibility Depending On Stretching Duration, Konstantin Warneke, Klaus Wirth, Michael Keiner, Stephan Schiemann

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(4): 83-94, 2023. To improve flexibility, stretching is most commonly used and in training interventions duration-dependent effects are hypothesized. However, there are strong limitations in used stretching protocols in most studies, particularly regarding documentation of intensity and performed procedure. Thus, aim of this study was to compare different stretching durations on flexibility in the plantar flexors and to exclude potential biases. Eighty subjects were divided into four groups performing daily stretching training of 10min (IG10), 30min (IG30) and 1h (IG60) and one control group (CG). Flexibility was measured in bended and extended knee joint. Stretching …

The Effects Of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids On Gene Expression In Skeletal Muscle: A Systematic Review, Luke M. Pelton, Stephen A. Maris, Joshua Loseke

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(3): 53-82, 2023. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) act via androgen receptor (AR) interaction to induce muscle protein synthesis. This process is achieved via altered gene expression via the Notch, Wnt, and Numb pathways and their interactions at the AR, manifesting in key skeletal muscle (SM) phenotypes such as morphology, ion conductance, and functionality. This review aims to report on the effects of AAS administration on gene expression in SM. Peer-reviewed empirical studies evaluating AAS administration on SM phenotypes and gene expression were considered for inclusion. The following databases were searched using a data range of Jan …

The Relationship Between Cognition, Preseason Hitting Assessments, And In-Game Batting Performance In Collegiate Baseball And Softball Players, Amanda Carrol, Tonya Krupp, Kara Tucker, Nicholas J. Siekirk, Bradley J. Kendall

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(6): 23-30, 2023. Successful hitting performance may be related to perceptual processing of visual information. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between preseason cognitive assessments, off-field preseason hitting assessment, and in-game batting performing in collegiate baseball and softball athletes. Collegiate varsity baseball (n = 10, 20.5 ± 1.0 years) and softball (n = 16, 20.3 ± 1.3 years) underwent Flanker Task and Trail Maker Tests A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B) 24 hours prior to a pre-seasoning indoor hitting assessment. During pre-season hitting assessment, athletes selected 10 underhand pitches and …

Prediction Of Rowing Functional Threshold Power Using Body Mass, Blood Lactate And Gxt Peak Power Data., Eanna Mc Grath, Bernard Donne, Nicholas Mahony, Neil Fleming

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(4): 31-41, 2023. Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is a validated index of a maximal quasi steady-state cycling intensity. The central component of the FTP test is a maximal 20-min time-trial effort. A model to predict FTP from a cycling graded exercise test (m-FTP) was published that estimated FTP without the requirement of the exhaustive 20-min time-trial. The predictive model (m-FTP) was trained (developed to find the best combination of weights and bias) on a homogenous group of highly-trained cyclists and triathletes. This investigation appraised the external validity of the m-FTP model vis-à-vis the alternate modality …

How Did Participating In A Prenatal Nutrition And Exercise Program Influence Postpartum Experiences During Covid-19?, Rozhan Momen, Maya Weinreich, Taniya S. Nagpal, Michelle F. Mottola

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(3): 1-11, 2023. Lifestyle interventions focusing on prenatal physical activity (PA) and healthy nutritional habits can carry forward into the postpartum period. As many health resources, like PA facilities and postpartum support groups, were inaccessible due to the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions, it may be plausible that individuals who participated in a prenatal lifestyle intervention continued engaging in positive health behaviours on their own. This study explored experiences of postpartum individuals during the pandemic who had engaged in a prenatal PA and nutrition program prior to COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews were completed with postpartum individuals following …

Does A College Degree Really Influence Economic Success? It's Complicated, Aaron W. Hughey

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Higher education in the United States is currently facing a myriad of challenges, most of which are self-inflicted. Having a more educated populace, in and of itself, does not necessarily guarantee any advantages to anyone. We can blame shifting demographics, evolving economic realities and changing societal priorities – but the ultimate responsibility for our present circumstance lies squarely with those within the academy.

Meeting Minutes, Wku Staff Council

Staff Council

Minutes of January 2023 meeting,

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

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU football team in 2023.

Ua68/6 Newsletter, Wku Gender & Women's Studies

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Gender & Women's Studies program.

Ua51 Annual Report, Wku University Libraries

Library Annual Reports, Reports, and Statistics

WKU University Libraries annual report.

Rosalie Edge And The Modern Environmental Movement, Elizabeth Claire Coleman

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis examines and follows the actions of an understudied activist in the environmentalist movement: Rosalie Edge. This thesis relies and encourages a combination of conservation, environmentalism, and historical women’s history in America. Rosalie Edge’s work as an environmentalist created a new and effective way for environmentalists to advocate for the environment around them. She created a pamphlet medium that invited scientists and other conservationists to publish writings and opinions that went against what the Audubon Society, the Biological Survey, and legislators were doing and publishing. The research for this project combines analysis from other professionals in the field with …

Zephyrus, Wku English Department

Zephyrus

The fine arts magazine of Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green.

Evaluation Of Ionic Liquid Treatment As An Alternative To Chemical Fixation And Dehydration In The Preparation Of Biofilms For Scanning Electron Microscopy, Molly Shreve

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Scanning electron microscopes (SEM) give researchers the ability to observe very small features on biological specimens at the nanometer scale, which is a much higher resolution than what can be obtained with a light microscope. To be observed under SEM, unlike light microscopes, samples must be dry, conductive, and able to withstand electron bombardment. Preparation methods have been developed that work well for samples composed mainly of proteins and lipids, but these fail for samples that are predominantly carbohydrates, such as bacterial biofilms. When carbohydrates of these biofilms are dehydrated, they tend to shrink and collapse, and their normal hydrated …

Ua12/2/77 Kappa Alpha Order, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Kappa Alpha Order fraternity.

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

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and match statistics for WKU tennis team in 2023.

Ua45 Registrar Updates, Wku Registrar

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Registrar's Office.

• Topper Walk
• Commencement
• Spring 2023 Grad Fair
• College Recognition Ceremonies
• Spring Survival Guide
• Spring 2023 Important Dates
• Finals Week Spring 2023
• Connect with Our Team

America, The Beautiful: How American Cosmetics Companies Advertised Femininity In The 1950s, Bridget Beavin

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The 1950s were an influential decade for cosmetics in terms of sales and social impact yet have received little consideration from historians. This paper explores how cosmetics companies reflected and directed ideas about American women, femininity, beauty, consumerism, and race in the 1950s. Using cosmetics advertisements in magazines, business newspapers, cosmetics packaging, employee manuals, and secondary literature, this paper analyzes tone and content of messaging published by cosmetics companies and reactions to the sale and use of cosmetics by public commentators. Analysis shows cosmetics were marketed as a necessity for achieving ideal femininity, yet women were largely criticized or belittled …

Ua19/16/2 Track & Field Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and match statistics for WKU track & field team in 2023.

The Reality Of Bipolar Disorder: A Dance Film To Bring Awareness To The Misconceptions Of Mental Health, Julia Woolums

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

For my project, I researched bipolar disorder to create a dance film highlighting the associated symptoms and emotions of hypomanic and depressive episodes. The purpose of this research is to bring awareness to and educate on the reality of these mental health symptoms to reduce mental health stereotypes and stigma. I researched academic texts and peer-reviewed articles about bipolar disorder written from the perspective of those diagnosed with it and used the symptom criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to compose, choreograph, film, and edit my dance film. The completed film showcases what daily life could …

Bluegrass Backstory: Connecting People To Local History Through Podcasting, David Hunter Hartlage

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Kentucky has a rich cultural identity, built upon a storied local history. Unfortunately, certain aspects of local cultural history, such as the origins of Kentucky vernacular music or how the bourbon industry has promoted growth in Kentucky’s communities, are not readily apparent. The increasing popularity and accessibility of podcasting offers local historians an opportunity to address this problem.

The goal of this project was to create a podcast program which makes information regarding the history, culture, and identity of Kentucky accessible to all in a scholarly—but engaging—way. I researched podcasting equipment and how to use it, then purchased that equipment …

Terror Management Theory And Legislation: An Analysis Of How Patterns Evolve And Change, Elizabeth Roth

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Recent legislation passed in states including Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky have included clauses that govern “divisive” material and the manner in which this material is discussed, particularly in schools. The term “divisive” is never truly defined beyond content that is “patently offensive to prevailing standards.” The emphasis has been placed on the fact that students should not be biased by the information that they are taught or allowed to access, but definitions are lax as to what constitutes inappropriate information. The loose criteria as to what counts as “unsuitable” opens up divisive material to easy censorship based on partisan and …

A Study Of Public Opinion: The Importance Of Mental Illness Diagnosis And Perceptions Of Recidivism On Parole Eligibility, Emily Pedigo

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The present study examined the impact a mental illness diagnosis has on parole eligibility mediated by the participants’ perceptions of whether the prospective parolee would commit future crimes if released. Participants watched a video vignette of an individual charged with second degree manslaughter and diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or bipolar disorder while incarcerated. Results indicated that a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder indirectly reduced parole success compared to bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder when mediated by participants’ perceptions of whether the convict would recommit a crime following release.

Covid-19 And Eating Disorders: How Covid-19 Increased The Prevalence And Severity Of Eating Disorders, And The Lasting Implications, Lucy Rogers

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

COVID-19 brought on a whirlwind of changes that were impossible to have foreseen. The impacts on individuals have left lasting impressions, the natures of which continue to be unearthed even now- 4 years later. This thesis will outline the impacts of COVID-19 on those suffering from eating disorders and disordered eating habits, as well as ideas for how to support and care for these individuals through their continued hardships which have been set in motion by the pandemic.

The research conducted on this topic utilized peer reviewed articles found through databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. The findings …

Taiwanese Women In And Out Of The Workforce: Perceptions Of Working Mothers And Their Roles, Josie Coyle

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis explores how Taiwanese citizens perceive women in the workforce and at home, with a specific focus on how working mothers in Taiwan are perceived. The first section provides a literature review of perceptions of women in and out of the workforce in Taiwan and how policies surrounding maternity leave and breastfeeding can impact these perceptions. The second section will detail the findings of an original survey that asks the Taiwanese respondents their opinions regarding women in the workforce, division of labor in the home, breastfeeding, and gender roles. The data shows that there may be a greater level …

Completing And Improving The Collection Of Data For Carbon Reporting, Madeline Petty

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Global carbon emissions from individual, organizational, and institutional activities influence the environment. Organizations and institutions use sustainability reporting methods to regularly track and report metrics relating to emissions from collective activity, yet data needed for such reporting can be difficult and time-consuming to collect. Multiple institutions, particularly universities, often use digital, standardized carbon footprint reporting tools to help overcome these challenges. Still, using digital reporting tools does not alleviate all challenges faced in regular carbon reporting due to the lack of data collection structure among university departments. This scholarly activity attempted to calculate the carbon footprint of Western Kentucky University …

Examining The Impact Of Holistic Practices On Lgbtqia+ Wellness, Airelle Railley

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The project involved surveying the before and aftereffects of holistic healing for ten undergraduate Kentuckians who identify as LGBTQIA+. The purpose of the project was to heighten and expand the LGBTQIA+ participants experience with holistic and wellness care, by utilizing on or off campus wellness activities. Those ten participants were split into two groups of five. The control group was lightly “encouraged” to attend any health and wellness activities. The intervention group was required to attend at least one yoga session per week. Each participant was instructed to complete and submit documentation each month. Those documents included surveys and monthly …

The Impact Of Track And Field To The Youth Refugee Community: A Case-Study Analyzing Sense Of Belonging And Integration To A New Community, Rafael Teodoro Da Silva

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis analyzes sport as a tool for belonging and integration with the youth refugee community of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Through a Track and Field program, researchers introduced different sport experiences to the refugee community. The program aimed to spark an interest in a different physical activity, which has been linked to positive mental and physical skills, while offering an opportunity for social interaction and development to the participants. Following the four-week Track and Field program, seven children participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Several themes emerged from the interviews, including happiness, learning, exercising, and community. The results from this study …

Building Coleus Academy, Janessa Unseld

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Coleus Academy, a nonprofit e-learning platform, has been created to address the deficits left by the de-emphasis and, at times, outright omission of practical skill-centric education in American curriculums. There exists a gap between the degree of knowledge necessary to engage with adult life and the extent of that knowledge that is actually possessed by emerging adults. Prominent legislations are among the numerous efforts to address this issue. However, there is a deeply fractured market where resources are proving too expensive, too sparse, or hyper-specific to the point of limited usability. Compounded with disparities in when, where, and to whom …

Simulating The Machine Translation Of Low-Resource Languages By Designing A Translator Between English And An Artificially Constructed Language, Michaela Snyder

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Natural language processing (NLP), or the use of computers to analyze natural language, is a field that relies heavily on syntax. It would seem intuitive that computers would thrive in this area due to their strict syntax requirements, but the syntax of natural languages leaves them unable to properly parse and generate sentences that seem normal to the average speaker. A subfield of NLP, machine translation, works mainly to computerize translation between different languages. Unfortunately, such translation is not without its weaknesses; language documentation is not created equal, and many low-resource languages—languages with relatively few kinds of documentation, most often …

Zephyrus, Western Kentucky University

Student Creative Writing

The fine arts magazine of Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green.