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Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 43. Alfred Russel Wallace’S Social Environment And Moral Progress., David Stack, Charles H. Smith Editor

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace’s Social Environment and Moral Progress (1913) was the last book he wrote and one of the most powerful statements of his thought and beliefs. As with his Revolt of Democracy (1913), written before but published after Social Environment and Moral Progress, the work finds Wallace passionate in his advocacy of social and economic reform. Despite his advanced age (Wallace turned 90 in January 1913), the book is deeply engaged with contemporary controversies, including the rise of labor, arguments against eugenics, and debates around the social and political status of women. What distinguishes Wallace’s text is that he …

Identification Of Current Ai Usage In The Fields Of Exercise-Related Professions And The Requirement Of Ai Experience As A Hiring Criterion: A Preliminary Study, Michelle Stehman, Matthew Hankinson

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing within exercise-related professions, raising the question of whether college curricula for these professions should include AI education. This study aimed to evaluate current AI usage and to discover the priority of AI skills for hiring managers among exercise-related professionals. Section one of the questionnaire included questions about current use of AI within exercise-related professions (N = 65), and section two was specific to hiring managers and their position on AI skills as a hiring requirement (n = 32 completed this section). The main outcome of this study was that 32% of exercise-related professionals …

Lessons Learned From An Experiential Learning Project In An “Exercise And Wellness For Special Populations” Course, Anita M. Gust

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Experiential learning (EL) is a vital pedagogical approach in higher education and is an integral part of exercise science; however, research on its effectiveness within the discipline is limited. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine if an experiential learning project designed for an “Exercise and Wellness for Special Populations” course was effective for achieving the learner outcomes, and 2) to identify what additional lessons, beyond the course learning outcomes, were learned from the experiential learning project. In this retrospective study, students’ written reflections using the DEAL (Describe, Evaluate, Articulate Learning) model served as data. A content analysis …

Utilization Of An Open-Access Markerless Motion Analysis Software For A Biomechanics Movement Analysis Project., Tamra L. Llewellyn, Michael J. Nolan

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

The movement analysis project (MAP) is a common assignment in many undergraduate biomechanics courses. The purpose of this article is to introduce kinesiology educators to an open-source, AI-enabled, markerless software for motion capture, OpenCap, which can be used in MAP and research. This tool is currently being used in an in-person, upper-level, undergraduate biomechanics course where students are required to have taken Anatomy & Physiology. There is very little time, money, or expertise needed to implement this resource. Using 2 iPads on tripods and the OpenCap app and web-based interface, movements can be quickly converted to skeleton visualization and joint …

The Problems Of Philosophy: Student Edition, Bertrand Russell, Landon D.C. Elkind Ed.

Philosophy & Religion Faculty Publications

This is a very lightly edited open educational resource version of The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell. It is lightly edited to approach (without yet meeting) the “truer” text of The Problems of Philosophy indicated by Kenneth Blackwell in the journal Russell.1 Student notes from the editor are included to make the text more suitable for college (or high school) students.

The basis for this edition is this 2004 version available in HTML through Project Gutenberg, produced by Gordon Keener and David Widger. After using Pandoc to convert this HTML file into TeX, I made some aesthetic edits (like …

Building Ai Literacy Through Assessment Practices In Physical Education Teacher Education, Rebekah A. Johnson

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

The classroom resource presented provides an instructional approach designed to enhance both course outcomes and artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in undergraduate physical education preservice teachers. Implemented in a full-semester, in-person Assessment in Physical Education course, the project engaged students in learning to develop effective AI prompts, critically analyze AI-generated outputs, and apply these tools to design a standards-based assessment plan. Designed for undergraduate students with foundational knowledge of assessment and pedagogy, the project incorporated scaffolded tasks, guided discussions, and structured reflections to support AI integration through experiential learning. In approximately 30 minutes per week throughout the semester, students explored how …

Building Critical Thinking And Ai Literacy Through The Topic Development Process In Kinesiology, Brandi Row Lazzarini

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

The purpose of this teaching and learning resource is to provide a process for developing academic and meta-cognitive skills in students as they engage meaningfully in literature analysis and practice deploying generative artificial intelligence (genAI) effectively and responsibly. Additionally, while gaining critical AI literacy, students will develop the skills needed to advance their critical thinking and avoid overreliance on generative AI. This resource is unique in the specificity of its activities, which promote a healthy perspective on how genAI can be used in the early stages of learning about a topic. It also helps students practice the skills needed to …

Service-Learning In Adapted Physical Activity: Student Experiences With And Without Course Integration, Courtney Jost, Nicole Fiscella Nicole Fiscella, Roxanne Bahn-Bales, Tze-Hsuan Wang, Jennifer Beamer, Jennifer Taylor, Willie Chun Wai Leung

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Service-learning is widely used in adapted physical activity/education (APA/APE) courses to enhance student learning through community engagement. However, limited research has explored how the presence or absence of an APA/APE course influences students’ perceived learning, confidence, and engagement in inclusive physical activity settings. This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional study examined how course-enhanced and purely experiential models of a university-based APA service-learning program, PA PALS, shaped undergraduate students’ experiences. Students (N = 58) participated; 41.4% (n = 24) were concurrently enrolled in an APA/APE course (course-enhanced group), while 58.6% (n = 34) participated as volunteers (purely experiential group). A validated …

Ai-Enhanced Feedback Loops In Physical Education Teacher Education: Using Chatbots And Brisk Ai To Support Reflection And Instructional Growth, Nikki Hollett, Sheri J. Brock

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Educating physical education teachers to deliver effective online and hybrid instruction presents unique challenges. Instructors cannot observe preservice teachers live in a gymnasium, and real-time feedback is impossible. When dozens of students submit micro-teaching videos, the traditional feedback cycle breaks down. This teaching and learning resource presents a practical, scalable model to address these constraints through integration of two accessible AI tools: Brisk AI for automated video analysis and custom-designed AI chatbots for guided reflection. Through this approach, preservice teachers record short lessons, receive immediate automated feedback on their teaching behaviors, engage in chatbot-guided metacognitive reflection, and revise and reteach …

Practicing Professional Intake Consultations With Ai: An Experiential Assignment For An Exercise Prescription Course, Mark E. Hartman

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

The purpose of this article is to describe an assignment that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with simulation-based learning in an upper-level undergraduate exercise prescription course. A large body of evidence supports the use of simulation-based education, though due to cost and feasibility limitations, it has largely been limited to medical education. This assignment leverages AI as a scalable, low-cost simulation tool, offering exercise science students a highly realistic practice simulation that reinforces both professional reasoning and interpersonal communication skills. In this assignment, titled Simulated Exercise Consultation Using ChatGPT, students practice conducting an intake session as a personal trainer while …

Evolution As Spatial Projection, Charles H. Smith, Ngoc Nguyen

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

A theory combining explanations for the nature of three-dimensional systems and evolutionary processes is advanced, set to a geometric simulation, and then discussed in the context of several empirical studies bearing on its validity. The concept “evolution” is first discussed, then related to Baruch de Spinoza’s ideas on natural philosophy, including his concept of the conatus. These ideas are then extended by posing the possible existence of a general form of natural systems subsystemization leading to the extended space condition. A geometrical/topological simulation study projecting spatial relations among subsystem structures interpretable through entropy maximization and multidimensional scaling methods is presented, …

Testing The Accuracy Of Commercial Wrist-Wearable Activity Trackers At Different Exercise Intensities, Jabeth Azpeitia Aranda, Murat Karabulut, Rebekah D. Schlatter, Guillermo Perez, Ulku Karabulut

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Consumer wrist-worn activity trackers are widely used to monitor physical activity and physiological responses during exercise, yet their accuracy across exercise intensities and physiological variables remains uncertain. PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of wrist-wearable fitness trackers for heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), energy expenditure (EE), and step count across exercise intensities. METHODS: Thirty (30) recreationally active adult males and females (n = 30; age = 22.8 ± 4.5 yr) completed four sessions consisting of informed consent, anthropometric and baseline measurements, and three treadmill exercise sessions. Exercise sessions included walking at 3 mph (0% incline), walking at 3 mph (12% …

Pre- To Post-Season Changes In Body Composition Among Division Iii Football Players, Sebastian Schaefer, Cesar Navarro, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Collegiate football player body composition likely changes over the course of the season, and might differ based on player position. The extent to which this occurs in Division III football players is not known. PURPOSE: To examine differences in body composition from pre- to post-season and positional differences among Division III football players at Southwestern University. METHODS: Division III NCAA football players at Southwestern University were recruited prior to the 2025 season. Body composition was determined pre- and post-season by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).  Only athletes who completed the season and were not sidelined due to injury …

Physical Fitness Readiness And Preparation For Law Enforcement Academy A Pilot Cohort Study, Logan Moore, Sharon Carano, Karen Wallace, Pamela Rast

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

It has been shown that lower baseline physical fitness among first responder recruits, specifically law enforcement, is consistently associated with (1) higher rates of academy attrition (including failures to meet physical standards or to complete training) and (2) increased injury risk during academy training PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to test the physical fitness readiness of college students for entry into a law enforcement academy, and prepare the students for the rigors of the police officer physical resilience assessment, and the future physical activity requirements of being in law enforcement.  METHODS: College students (20±1.47 years old) …

A Novel Method For Producing Muscle Cramps Without Electrical Stimulation, Elizabeth C. Krajca, Benjamin Greengold, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Muscle cramps are involuntary, often painful, skeletal muscle contractions that can occur for multiple reasons including physical exertion, injury, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, or other neuromuscular conditions. Understanding muscle cramping etiology and treatments is difficult due to their often unpredictable timing and conditions that need to be met for many individuals to experience them. Previous studies have induced muscle cramping through electrical stimulation, long duration exercise, dehydration, and other methods, but these techniques are either non-physiological or complex and time attentive. PURPOSE: Therefore, we aimed to develop a new method to produce a muscle cramp in the biceps brachii in a …

Accelerated Recovery Following High-Dose Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection For Distal Biceps Tendon Tear In A Weightlifter, Saahil Naik, Stephanie Ward, John Broussard

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: A 44-year-old male avid weightlifter presented to the clinic for evaluation of acute onset distal bicep pain following a weightlifting session. He reports feeling a pop in his right distal bicep while performing a preacher curl and subsequently dropping the weight. PHYSICAL EXAM: Examination of the right arm demonstrated guarding with the elbow held in slight flexion without obvious deformity. Ecchymosis was noted on the volar aspect of the proximal forearm. Tenderness to palpation was present along the distal bicep tendon, as was elicitation of pain and weakness with resisted elbow flexion and supination. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES …

Dietary Acculturation And Body Composition Changes In Division I Female International Student-Athletes, Holland R. Weerasekara, Leticia De Souza, Leslee Funderburk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Athletic performance relies on optimal body composition that supports biomechanics and bioenergetics of sport. Limited research exists on dietary acculturation and body composition changes in Division I female international student-athletes. PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of dietary acculturation levels and increased food availability on the body composition of Division I female international student-athletes. METHODS: Eighteen female NCAA Division I female international student-athletes (18–25 years) from 14 countries and 5 sports participated. Retrospective Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition data were accessed at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and most recent scan. Dietary acculturation and food availability were assessed using the …

Differences In Respiratory Function Between Female College-Aged Athletes, Vocalists, And Wind Musicians, Jeannette Baldwin, Brett W. Crossland Dr

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Respiratory function plays an important role in both daily performance and long-term health. Measures such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) are not only accurate indicators of lung function but are also used as biomarkers linked to morbidity and mortality across a wide range of populations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare respiratory function in college-aged athletes, wind musicians, and singers to evaluate whether their differing respiratory demands result in measurable differences in lung function, which may help guide training and exercise recommendations for these populations. METHODS: Female …

The Effect Of Preparatory Movement On Reaction Time, Sydney A. Braun, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Reaction time is a critical component of athletic performance and preparatory movements are believed to enhance response speed by priming the neuromuscular and cognitive systems. At elite levels, even fractions of a second can distinguish between success and failure. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the effect of preparatory motion on reaction time. Specifically, the study compares the reaction times performing a standardized preparatory motion to those remaining static prior to stimulus onset. We hypothesize that participants using preparatory motion will react significantly faster than those in the static condition. METHODS: Sixteen participants (7 males, 9 females; mean age …

Low Fluid Intake During Recovery Increases Daytime Sleep And Awakenings Following Exercise- Induced Muscle Damage, Jose M. Mostaffa-Viloria, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian J. Hoebelheinrich, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sleep is essential for exercise recovery. Moderate exercise can improve sleep (e.g., total sleep duration, quality, number of awakenings, sleep latency, etc.), whereas high-intensity or unfamiliar exercise may induce muscle damage and acute inflammation, thereby disrupting sleep. Dehydration-related increases in arginine vasopressin (AVP) have also been shown to impair sleep. Recent evidence indicates that 24-h fluid restriction impairs sleep initiation and prolongs sleep duration, whereas our previous findings indicate that completing intense exercise in a dehydrated state may not alter sleep. However, the effect of fluid intake on sleep characteristics (i.e., duration, quality, latency, depth, satisfaction, number of awakenings, and …

The Effect Of Dehydration On Muscle Fluid Content During Recovery From Damage In Active Men, Jalyn Dunlap, Casey Appell, Trinity N. Domonkos, Karina Olvera, Sarah Walper, Christian J. Hoebelheinrich, Seth Bernardino, Larry Munger, Hui-Ying Luk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Eccentric muscle damage triggers an immune response leading to immune cell infiltration, which increases intramuscular osmotic pressure driving fluid movement from the extracellular space into the intramuscular space. Conversely, dehydration decreases plasma volume which increases extracellular osmotic pressure driving fluid movement from the intramuscular space to the extracellular space. Given these opposing forces on fluid movement, the overall direction of fluid movement during recovery from muscle damage in a dehydrated state is unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of dehydration on intramuscular fluid content following muscle damage in active men. METHODS: Nine active men (21±4yr; 175.0±6.5cm; 76.9±10.4kg; lean …

Footwear Matters: Speed And Barefoot Running Enhance Medial Gastrocnemius Emg, Kaleb M. Luna, Bryon C. Applequist

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Barefoot running alters foot strike mechanics and may change lower-extremity muscle demands compared to shod running, particularly at different speeds. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of footwear (barefoot vs. shod) and running speed (preferred vs. +20%) on normalized electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and tibialis anterior (TA) in recreational runners. METHODS: Five healthy recreational runners completed treadmill running trials at preferred speed and +20% preferred speed in barefoot and shod conditions. Bilateral surface EMG was recorded from MG and TA (1500 Hz). Signals were bandpass filtered (20–450 Hz), rectified, …

A Comparative Analysis Of Maladaptive Perfectionism In Male And Female Competitive Bodybuilders, Maddox B. Utter, Christian O. Quintero, Samantha S. Dardaman, Stephen E. Rowden, Scott B. Martin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Bodybuilding is a sport focused on physique optimization, where success is determined by judges’ evaluations of muscle mass, symmetry, and definition. Due to the sport’s emphasis of physical aesthetics, bodybuilders may feel the need to compare themselves with other competitors. This evaluation and comparison of physique may expose athletes to maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies, such as setting unattainably high standards, excessive worry over mistakes, and a diminished sense of competence. While current bodybuilding literature is limited, previous research suggests that perfectionism may lead to psychological impairments (e.g., body dysmorphia, anxiety, and reduced self-confidence) which may manifest differently between male and female …

Unusual Presentation Of An Anterior Talus And Fibular Head In A Youth Soccer Player, Stephanie Ward, Saahil Naik, Rajinder Persaud

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: The patient is a 13-year-old male who presented to the osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) clinic for evaluation of left ankle pain and stiffness. He reported ankle soreness, which he believed is due to extensive participation in soccer and running 2-3 miles daily. He occasionally experiences stiffness in his left knee and left ankle during physical activity, which does not prevent him from participating in athletic activities. He is left lower extremity dominant. He has a history of a grade 1 ankle sprain 2 years prior that was resolved with conservative management. He denied any other instances of …

The Effect Of An 8-Week Resistance Training Intervention On The Cross-Sectional Area Of The Rectus Femoris, Kornkanok Sophonsakulrat, Payton E. Miller, Corie N. Smith, Kat A. Adcock, Karley Rayfield, Canyon Massengale, Jessica Jones, Laura Roden, Avery Pickrell, Grant M. Tinsley, Jacob A. Mota

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Skeletal muscle hypertrophy is a key adaptation to resistance training, yet the time when measurable growth occurs remains unknown in previously untrained women. Evaluating hypertrophic changes over a short intervention period has important implication for training adaptations and program design. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to quantify the time course of muscle size cross sectional area (CSA) and morphological adaptations of the rectus femoris (RF) following 8-weeks of resistance training in previously untrained, college-aged women. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy, untrained female participants (age, 18-35, BMI, 22.65±2.61 kg/m²) were randomized to either an 8-week resistance-training group (TRAIN) …

How Does The Stage Of Pregnancy Influence Gait And Sway In Pregnant Women From Six To Eight Months., Lilie-Rose S. Gilbert, Scott P. Mclean, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Physiological changes that affect gait, posture, and balance during the late stages of pregnancy increase the risk of falling.  These changes were examined across the stages of pregnancy using simulated pregnancy loading. PURPOSE: To compare gait and postural balance measures under three loading conditions simulating zero, 6, and 8-months of simulated pregnancy. We predicted that the added weight in late-stage pregnancy would adversely affect gait characteristics and reduce postural control. METHODS: Twenty-one healthy females (20.1±1.2 years, 1.79±0.11 m, 64.1±9.5 kg) completed a 10-m walking gait assessment.  They then completed three trials under each condition, including the Stability Evaluation Test (SET) …

The Effects Of An Epidural Steroid Injection On Cervical And Lumbar Radiculopathy, Sarah M. Mitchell, Raquesha D. Cox

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a nonsurgical pain management procedure that can reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation in individuals with cervical or lumbar pain. It is common for cervical or lumbar pain to diffuse throughout the body’s extremities causing pain that can impact the individual’s activities of daily living (ADLs). PURPOSE: Evaluate the effectiveness of an ESI on individuals with cervical or lumbar radiculopathy to determine if the injection helps reduce pain during ADLs. METHODS: Patients experiencing cervical or lumbar radiculopathy were evaluated by the physician to identify candidates for ESI. Twenty-four patients who were candidates for ESI …

Inter-Rater Reliability Of Manual Waist Circumference And Agreement With Dxa-Derived Waist In Male Collegiate Rugby Players, Hayden Johnson, Christian Rivera, Stephanie Hansford, Regan Renfro, Dalton Prye, Matthew Poole, Saheed Jaiyeola, Sage A. Newman, Adesiji Adetona, Oscar Woodside, Jmya Hughes, Preston James, Kelly Hines, Jade Simon, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christopher D. Greenleaf, Micheil Spillane

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Waist circumference (WC) is a low-cost surrogate of central adiposity, but measurement error can limit athlete monitoring. PURPOSE: Evaluate inter-rater reliability of manual WC and agreement with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived WC in male collegiate rugby players. METHODS: Twenty-one male collegiate rugby players completed baseline testing (manual WC and DXA completed same day) following an overnight fast and euhydration. Two trained raters independently measured WC on bare skin at the superior border of the iliac crest (site not pre-marked) using a seca 201 measurement tape, with participants standing feet together and arms relaxed at their sides; the tape was verified …

Classic Biva Differences By Position And Rugby-Specific Tolerance Ellipses In Collegiate Male Rugby Athletes, Christian Rivera, Hayden Johnson, Stephanie Hansford, Regan Renfro, Dalton Prye, Matthew Poole, Saheed Jaiyeola, Sage A. Newman, Adesiji Adetona, Oscar Woodside, Jmya Hughes, Preston James, Kelly Hines, Jade Simon, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christopher D. Greenleaf, Micheil Spillane

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) supports interpretation of hydration and soft-tissue status, yet population reference ellipses may not reflect rugby union athletes. PURPOSE: Compare classic BIVA between forwards and backs and derive rugby-specific tolerance ellipses. METHODS: Twenty-one collegiate male rugby athletes (forwards n=15; backs n=6) completed standing multifrequency BIA (seca mBCA 514) in the morning after an overnight fast (≥12 h) and ≥24 h exercise abstention. Hydration was assessed via urine specific gravity (USG; CLINITEK Status+; Multistix 10 SG). Whole-body 50 kHz resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) were averaged bilaterally; |Xc| was used, values were normalized to height (R/H, Xc/H), …

Associations Between Dxa-Derived Trunk Adiposity And Resting Hemodynamics In Male Collegiate Rugby Union Athletes, Adesiji Adetona, Hayden Johnson, Christian Rivera, Stephanie Hansford, Regan Renfro, Dalton Prye, Matthew Poole, Saheed Jaiyeola, Sage A. Newman, Oscar Woodside, Jmya Hughes, Preston James, Kelly Hines, Jade Simon, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christopher D. Greenleaf, Micheil Spillane

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Trunk adiposity is a cardiometabolic risk factor that may relate to resting hemodynamics even in young athletic populations. PURPOSE: To examine associations between DXA-derived trunk percent fat and resting heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in male collegiate rugby union athletes. METHODS: Twenty-one male rugby athletes completed morning testing (06:00–09:00 h) following ≥12 h fast and post-void, with stimulants (including caffeine) restricted ≥12 h and no exercise ≥24 h. Hydration was screened using urine specific gravity (USG; CLINITEK Status+ with Multistix 10 SG) and urine color (clear yellow). Whole-body DXA (Hologic Horizon W; APEX v5.6.1.3 rev 007) provided trunk …