Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Relationship Between Nutrition Knowledge And Dietary Guideline Adherence In Rotc Cadets, Emily C. Holbrook, Sheyla Leon, Michael J. Conner, Lisa C. Colvin, Steve E. Martin, Tabbetha Lopez, Stella L. Volpe, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

There is limited research on the nutrition knowledge of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets compared to their adherence to recommended dietary guidelines. PURPOSE: We assessed the nutrition knowledge of ROTC cadets and examined its association with dietary intake. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 206 ROTC cadets regarding sports performance and nutrition supplementation knowledge via the validated paper-based questionnaire, Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Athletes (NKQA), and Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants [shortened version] (REAP-S). The questionnaire data were analyzed with a Chi-Square test for overall response in the NKQA and REAP-S. The correct responses (as percentages) for …

Assessing The Influence Of Electrode Placement On Body Composition Measures From Bioimpedance Technologies, Carina M. Velasquez, Christine M. Florez, Christian Rodriguez, Madelin R. Siedler, Matthew T. Stratton, Patrick S. Harty, Ainsley E. Way, Madison H. Sullivan, Grant M. Tinsley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

A variety of laboratory-based methods have been utilized to assess body composition. However, technical and physiological variations can influence the estimates from these devices. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the within- and between-day reliability of bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (SFBIA), with varying electrode placement, for estimates of body fat percentage (BF%), fat-free mass (FFM), and fat mass (FM). METHODS: Eighteen healthy young adults (mean ± SD; age = 25.7 ± 7.5 years; BMI = 22.4 ± 2.3 kg/m²) completed two visits to the laboratory for BIS and SFBIA …

Heart Rate Alterations In An Elite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Throughout Doubles Tournament Play, Tia Papapietro, Cesar A. Ojeda, Dillon R. Harris, Zach R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Few data exist on Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) as a prominent competitive title in the growing Esports industry. Skilled players exhibit distinct cognitive skills that are possibly associated with aerobic capacity, but no data thus far have examined the influence of team-based play in this predominantly solo game. PURPOSE: to examine how SSBU doubles format tournament play affects heart rate in an elite Esports athlete. METHODS: An internationally top 150-ranked male SSBU player (25y) volunteered for the present case study throughout his participation in a double-elimination tournament bracket. After screening and baseline assessments, the subject was continuously monitored to …

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

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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

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

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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

Heart Rate Differences Between Elite And Casual Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Players Across Tournament Phases, Bailee Costa, Briant Jacobo-Ceja, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) is a prominent title in the expanding Esports industry, whereby players are potentially placed under unique neurophysiological demands that have been partially attributed to enhanced blood flow. Moreoever, the influence of player skill and tournament-specific situations on these outcomes are sparsely described. PURPOSE: to examine the within- and between-group differences in heart rate (HR) between elite-level (5 ES; internationally-ranked) and casual (6 CAS; plays > 4 hr/wk) SSBU players throughout their participation in double-elimination tournaments. METHODS: After screening and baseline assessments, participant HRs were fitted with an H10 Polar chest-based monitor and individual HR …

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

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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

Validity And Reliability Of The 'Feelfit®' Accelerometer In Evaluating Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Children: A Comparative Study With Two Different Accelerometers, Songdhasn Chinapong, Korntawat Klinchan, Hanif Abdul Rahman, Michael Chia, Waris Wongpipit, Jetsada Arnin, Areekul Amornsriwatanakul

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(2): 794-810, 2025. Accurate physical activity (PA) measurement is crucial for public health surveillance. While self-report questionnaires are commonly used, they have limitations, especially in young children. An affordable and user-friendly device like Feelfit® offers a promising alternative particularly for countries with limited research resources. This study aimed to evaluate Feelfit®’s performance against the widely used ActiGraph® accelerometer in measuring PA among children. A quasi-experimental design was applied. Thirty-nine children (19 boys; 20 girls; aged 11.4 ± 0.5 years) wore both Feelfit® and ActiGraph® during sequentially specified activities of varying intensity ranging from sedentary to …

Ua80/1 Agenda, W Club

University Organizations

Agenda of the August 2025 W Club Board of Directors meeting.

Firefighters Versus Law Enforcement Officers: A Comparison Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Bethany C. Guerra, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, J. Jay Dawes, Matthew J. Mcallister, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 659-671, 2025. Firefighters (FFs) and law enforcement officers (LEOs) have heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD), with data suggesting that ≈45% of on-duty FF fatalities are related to CVD, while LEOs have a 1.7 times higher CVD prevalence than the general public. This study compared CVD risk biomarkers, fitness, and body composition between FFs and LEOs. Ninety-eight career, structural male FFs (age = 35.1±9.6 yrs; weight = 94.3±15.4 kg; height = 178.4±13.2 cm) and seventy-three career LEOs (age = 41.4±9.0 yrs; weight = 92.3±16.8 kg; height = 179.6±8.1 cm) from local departments were studied. Participants completed …

Ua80/1 Meeting Agenda & Minutes, W Club

University Organizations

Agenda and minutes of the June 2025 W Club Board of Directors meeting.

Evolution Of Match Technical-Tactical Performance Indicators According To Age Category In Men's National Football Teams (World Cups 2003-2019), Sergio A. Caicedo-Parada, Enrique Ortega, Jose M. Palao

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 575-590, 2025. Performance in football depends on different dynamic interactions between players that occur at technical, tactical, physical, psychological, or sociological levels. The objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of match technical-tactical performance indicators according to age category in men's national football teams (U-17, U-20 and senior). A non-experimental retrospective observational design was used. Variables studied were ball possession, goal chances, shots off target, shots on target, corner kicks, effectiveness; goals, offsides, fouls committed, yellow cards, red cards, and second yellow cards. Data were drawn from 917 matches (195 senior, 369 …

Physiological And Biomechanical Responses To Indoor Cycling With And Without The Ability To Sway, Alina P. Swafford, James W. Navalta, Julia Freedman Silvernail, Nancy Lough, John A. Mercer

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 531-542, 2025. The purpose of this study was to understand whether or not physiological and biomechanical measures were influenced by cycling sway and intensity. Participants (n=13; 24.9±6.5 years; 1.7±0.1 m; 64.7±11.2 kg) completed two submaximal-effort cycling conditions using a stationary smart bike placed on a rocker board: 1) cycling with the rocker board set to allow sway (unblocked); 2) cycling with blocks placed in the rocker board to prevent sway (blocked). The order conditions were counterbalanced, and each condition was 12-mins. For each condition, four intensity levels were completed. Prior to testing, target power …

Ua12/2/2 Talisman: Connection, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2025 Talisman:

• Alali, Cecilia & Ragan Harrington. Connection
• Hardesty, Emma. On a Roll – Dungeons & Dragons
• Muscutt, Carson. Grinding Through Life – Molotov Skateshop
• Cox, Kate. Stopwatch
• Harrington, Ragan. 1 Campus, 7 Strangers – Logan Hesse, Nicholas Basile, Spencer Winterbottom, Alliyah Jones, Alex Gehring, Annie McClurg, Rowan Finley
• Vickers, Abigail. Forged in Combat – Mixed Martial Arts
• Wood-Morris, Oli. Survivors to Neighbors – Bosnian Refugees
• Jordan, Shylin. Severed Roots
• Bivens, Emily. Behind the Screen – Social Media
• Dean, Clarissa. Shear Talent – Shake Rag Barbershop
• Sutton, Avery. For the Love of the Old – Thrift Shopping
• Phelps, Maggie. …

Ua19/16/2 Women's Basketball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU women's basketball team in spring 2025.

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 Volleyball Press Relations, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

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

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

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU track teams in spring 2025.

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

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU football team in 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.

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

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU men's basketball team in spring 2025.

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

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU golf teams in spring 2025.

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

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU tennis teams in spring 2025.

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

WKU Administration Documents

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

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.

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 …

Validity Of Jump Height Using An Athlete Monitoring Wearable, Drew J. Smith, Kuan Chen, James B. Mann, Jennifer M. Yentes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Wearables for player monitoring have become common in collegiate and professional sports. Teams utilize wearable technology to gather volume and intensity data from practice and games throughout a season. Wearable data can be used as an objective marker to indicate when an athlete has met or exceeded a volume threshold. Inaccurate data could lead to improper modifications in training that could negatively impact player performance during a season. A frequently used metric to monitor athletes is jump height; however, like many other metrics calculated by player monitoring wearables, the validity is unknown. PURPOSE: To test the validity of jump …

Assessment Of Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity And Body Roundness Index Among First Responders, Asma-Maria El-Tayssoun, Jillian Liebert, Steven E. Martin, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

First responders have a heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and body roundness index (BRI) are associated with CVD risk. These parameters may provide a more comprehensive insight into the risk of CVD and premature mortality than conventional parameters (i.e., blood lipids). PURPOSE: This study assessed the relationship between ePWV, BRI, and several conventional CVD risk, fitness, and body composition parameters and compared these variables between sub-first responder groups. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one (n=171) first responders (98 firefighters [FF] and 73 law enforcement officers[LEO]) completed a battery of clinical testing during …

No Impact Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness On The Stress Responses To Firefighting, Leah Kirkegaard, Kelly Hines, Ryan J. Sowinski, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, Matthew J. Mcallister, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighting can exacerbate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and has been shown to elevate α-amylase (AA), secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA), and cortisol. Data suggest firefighters may not meet cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) standards. It is unclear if CRF levels impact the stress response to firefighting. Given the premature mortality risk, there is a critical need to understand the impact of CRF on firefighting stress responses. PURPOSE: This study assessed the impact of CRF on the stress response to an LFTE. METHODS: Forty-four (n=44) firefighters completed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPXT) and an LFTE. V̇O 2max was estimated via the Foster equation. The occupational …

Isometric Belt Squat Knee Position Affects Mediolateral Kinetics, Arianna N. Eyre, Madison Treece, J Bryan Mann, Jennifer M. Yentes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The isometric belt squat has grown in popularity as a lower body strength assessment, given its reduction in spinal loading and limited involvement of the upper extremity compared to other whole-body isometric test variations. Previous research has identified knee angle ranges for the isometric belt squat that are more advantageous for vertical force generation. The relationship of knee angle and anteroposterior and mediolateral forces has not been established for the isometric belt squat. Since ground reaction force is three-dimensional, examination into anteroposterior and mediolateral forces will provide additional information on how force is developed for this movement as well as …