Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 42: How Accurate Are The Transcriptions Presented At The Alfred Russel Wallace Page Website?, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

A look is taken at the level of accuracy displayed by the transcriptions of Wallace writings offered at the Alfred Russel Wallace Page website, as determined by a ChatGPT analysis.

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 …

Exact X2 Statistic Critical Values For Dice Fairness Testing, Warren Campbell

SEAS Faculty Publications

Two questions were addressed: 1) What are the exact values of the c² statistic critical values? 2. Does a dice tower offer improved fairness of dice rolls?  Critical values of the statistic asymptotically approach those given by the continuous chi-square distribution, but the exact distribution is discrete.  The exact distributions only asymptotically approach the chi-square distribution, and the convergence is slow (1/number of rolls).  Th exact distributions are a function of the number of rolls, the chi-square distribution is not a function of the number of rolls.  Exact values of c² at the 90, 95, and 99 percent …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 41. Violet Wallace’S ‘Natural History For Infants’, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

In 1893 Violet Wallace (1869-1945), daughter of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913), published a serialized work entitled ‘Natural History for Infants’.

The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 60 Summer 2026), Julia Link Roberts

Gifted Studies Publications

Magazine created by and about the WKU Center for Gifted Studies.

Western Kentucky University Stormwater Utility Survey 2026, Warren Campbell

SEAS Faculty Publications

In the U.S., more than 2200 stormwater utilities have been enacted. This year, we have expanded the survey to include stormwater utilities in other countries. Many of these stormwater assessments are called taxes, but if the assessment is recurring, is not an ad valorem tax, and is dedicated to stormwater purposes, we call it a stormwater utility. With the help of ChatGPT we have been able to identify 25 stormwater fees in Australia. We were also able to identify 3 in New Zealand, and some in Europe as well.

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 …

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 …

Bilateral Upper-Extremity Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome — Running, Taylor Utter, Justin Chu, Nate Mcginnis, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: 18-year-old nationally ranked runner with childhood-onset, exertional bilateral forearm heaviness/weakness (“lactate-like burn,” intermittent numbness) worsening over 2–3 years and limiting performance. Symptoms are reproducible with high-intensity running/races, occur earlier with shorter/faster events (~500 m into 800 m; ~1 mile into 2-mile), and resolve within 10–15 min of rest; steady long runs may be tolerated. Prior PT (~6 months) and dry needling were ineffective; compression sleeves worsened symptoms. PHYSICAL EXAM: Between episodes: no swelling/tenderness; full, pain-free wrist/elbow ROM; 5/5 strength incl. grip; intact sensation/reflexes; symmetric 2+ radial pulses/capillary refill. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES: Thoracic outlet syndrome; cervical radiculopathy; peripheral nerve entrapment; …

Chronic Low Back Pain – Track, Maitri Patel, Emily Roby, David Neuberger, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: A 20-year-old collegiate multi-event track athlete with chronic low back pain presented with 3 weeks of worsening lumbar pain and bilateral paresthesias into the gluteal region. Symptoms worsened with heavy lifting and trunk flexion/rotation. He denied trauma and bowel/bladder dysfunction. An NSAID and muscle relaxant were ineffective and he stopped sport. Imaging led to L5 pars repair. On postoperative day 4 he returned with headache, photophobia, neck pain, and fever. PHYSICAL EXAM: Lumbar tenderness at L4/5 midline and paraspinals; pain with rotation. No pain with flexion/extension/side-bending. Straight-leg raise negative. Normal gait; lower-extremity strength 5/5, sensation intact, reflexes 2+. …

Cmj Height And Medicine-Ball Speed Show The Strongest Signals For Tennis Serve Velocity, Kaleigh Boyd, Zoe Weidley, Chad Workman, Tristen Cooper Schiafo, Liz Dupree, Ernest Rimer, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Serve velocity is a key performance marker in tennis, but small samples and single trials in power, speed, and range of motion (ROM) tests can mis-rank what matters most. Repeated trials allow more precise estimates and more defensible comparisons across tests. PURPOSE: To determine which physical tests best predict serve velocity while limiting overfitting. METHODS: Eleven (5M, 6F) NCAA Division I collegiate players completed serve velocity (Pocket Radar Gun; 5 serves), countermovement jump (CMJ; Output and Hawkin; 3 trials each), ROM tests (Output; 3–6 trials), and medicine-ball rotational scoop throws (Output; 5–7 trials), plus body mass and sex. …

Distal Talar Avulsion Fracture Consistent With Chopart Ligament Injury – Soccer, Xavier Smith, Justin Chu, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: A 12-year-old male soccer athlete sustained an acute left midfoot injury after a tackle from behind at practice, reporting an immediate “crack,” antalgic gait, and next-day inability to bear weight. PHYSICAL EXAM: Initial exam showed dorsal midfoot/talar bony tenderness, pain with ankle rotation, preserved toe motion, no Achilles tenderness, no malleolar tenderness, intact capillary refill, and no gross deformity. At orthopaedic follow-up, fading ecchymosis over the dorsal distal talus was present; neurovascular status remained intact. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES: Distal talar avulsion fracture/Chopart injury; talonavicular sprain; occult midfoot fracture; Lisfranc injury; ankle sprain. TESTS & RESULTS: Nonweightbearing AP/lateral/oblique radiographs of …

Acute Subungual Hematoma With Nondisplaced Distal Phalanx Tuft Fracture – Baseball, Stephanie Johnson, Joshua Gruber, Justin Chu, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: A 21-year-old collegiate baseball athlete presented 15 minutes after an acute right index finger ball-strike injury sustained while fielding ground balls pregame. He reported immediate throbbing pain, pressure, swelling, and nailbed discoloration, without numbness or prior injury to the digit. PHYSICAL EXAM: Initial evaluation demonstrated marked subungual hematoma, focal tenderness greatest at the distal interphalangeal joint/distal phalanx, pain-limited DIP flexion, pain with resisted DIP extension, intact sensation, brisk capillary refill, and preserved distal neurovascular status. At hand follow-up 1 week later, the DIP joint was stable, there was no extensor lag, and the athlete was able to throw …

Effects Of Resistance Training On Lean Body Mass In Youth Girls. A Systematic Review, Olivia Evola, Devjja Vaibhavkumar Joshi, Arpita Milind Bedarkar, Matthew Benavides, Amerigo Rossi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: Resistance training is often overlooked in youth aged girls because of myths that it will stunt growth and hinder physical development. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects on lean body mass in youth girls, ages thirteen to eighteen while participating in a structured resistance training program. METHODS: The research began with creating inclusion criteria for all studies. They must have females in the study that fit the age range of 13-18 years old and should be participating in a structured resistance program for a minimum of eight consecutive weeks. Using PubMed and Scopus databases, …

Impact Of Cognitive And Dual-Task Training On Gait Performance For People With Parkinson’S Disease: A Systematic Review, Arpita Milind Bedarkar, Matthew Benavides, Olivia Evola, Devjja Joshi, Amerigo Rossi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) frequently experience gait abnormalities and cognitive difficulties, which lowers their mobility and raises their risk of falling. The efficacy of cognitive and cognitive-motor (dual task) training strategies to enhance gait performance shows promise. Purpose: Determine the effect of cognitive and dual-task training on gait performance in individuals with PD. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. English-language experimental studies that tested the effects of organized cognitive or cognitive-motor therapies on quantifiable gait outcomes for people with idiopathic PD were included. Characteristics of the experimental group, intervention parameters, cognitive domains, and …

Strength And Performance Parameters Among Cisgender And Transgender Men And Women, Ryan A. Rosa

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Transgender individuals have always existed and social acceptance of them continues to improve. However, there has been controversy on whether transgender athletes should play on sports teams that align with their gender identity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to compile a more comprehensive profile of cisgender and transgender individuals. The central hypothesis was that transgender men (TM) and women (TW) using gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) would be more similar to cisgender men (CM) and women (CW). METHODS: This study recruited moderately active cisgender and transgender men and women from around the greater New York area to be …

Effect Of A Structured Physical Activity Program On Chair Stand Disability In Older Adults, Ryan R. Alvarez, Todd Manini, Jack Guralnik, Anooop T. Balachandran

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

GNYACSM Original Research Abstract 

Effect of a Structured Physical Activity Program on Chair Stand Disability in Older Adults 

RYAN R. ALVAREZ, TODD MANINI, JACK GURALNIK, ANOOP T. BALACHANDRAN

Exercise & Aging Lab; Department of Family, Nutrition & Exercise Science; Queens College; Flushing, NEW YORK
School of Medicine; University of Maryland; Baltimore, MARYLAND        Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics; College of Medicine and Institute on Aging at the University of Florida; Gainesville, FLORIDA 

Chair stand disability, or the inability to stand up from a chair without assistance, is fundamental to activities of daily living and is associated with physical dependence …

Interactive Associations Between Physical Activity And Sleep Architecture On Cognition In Community-Dwelling Older Black Adults, Joshua L. Gills, Anhiti Dharmapuri, Rachel Mccray, Shreshtha Shah, Anthony Q. Briggs, Purbanka Pahari, Dominique Tanner, Mark A. Bernard, Elena Valkanova, Korey Kam, Ankit Parekh, Lisa L. Barnes, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Omonigho M. Bubu

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Growing evidence suggests an interactive relationship between physical activity (PA) and sleep in shaping cognitive performance. Enhanced sleep features, like greater K-complex density and slow-wave activity, may reflect mechanisms through which PA and restorative sleep improve cognitive function. PURPOSE: To examine how PA and sleep architecture interact to influence cognition in older Black adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 51 participants (mean age: 63.1 ± 15.8 years) from NYU’s Aging Research In Sleep Equity and Dementia Prevention Program. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing, polysomnography, clinical evaluation, and seven days of actigraphy to assess PA and sedentary behavior. Cognitive tasks measured processing …

Use Of Resistive Exercise Snacks To Improve Upper Body Fitness In Undergraduate And Graduate Students, Zachary Abouelkawaam, Kevin Vaughan, Alexander Rothstein, Abdelmohsen Mossolem, Jean-Paul Dodier, Carlos Africa, Freddie Leong, John Handrakis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Graduate/undergraduate students lack time for consistent physical activity, leading to declines in fitness. Exercise snacks (ExSnck), short bouts of submaximal exercise performed throughout the day, may offer a solution. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a 6-week upper body ExSnck program on endurance, strength, power, and enjoyment compared to a 1-set maximal exercise (MaxEx) protocol and a control group. METHODS: 43 participants were randomly assigned to ExSnck (n=15), MaxEx (n=16), or Control (n=12) groups. The ExSnck group performed 33% of their maximal push-ups and plank time for 3 sessions/day (sessions ≥2hrs apart). The MaxEx group performed the same …

Physical Activity And Psychological Health In Urban College Exercise Science Students, Bray Ilori, Rosselyn Charris, Galila Werber-Zion

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Mental health challenges, particularly stress and depression, are prevalent among American college students. Urban college students often balance academic demands with employment, making them more susceptible to these challenges. Exercise Science students are expected to engage in physical activity (PA) and model healthy behaviors by meeting established PA guidelines. PURPOSE: To determine whether urban college Exercise Science students meet PA guidelines and examine associations between PA and psychological health. METHODS: Twenty-eight students (7 females, 21 males; age = 23.0 ± 2.6 years) participated. Baseline measures included blood pressure and anthropometrics. Participants wore a Fitbit Charge 6 for one week and …

The Effect Of Cranberry Polyphenols On The Anaerobic Performance In Female Rugby Players, Emma Marshall, Alice Fleming, Andreas Bergdahl Dr.

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Supplementation with polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CE), noted for its antioxidant properties, can improve running times in elite athletes by approximately 1.5% in 1500 m races, while also enhancing muscle oxygenation. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of consuming a polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CE) on the effect of anaerobic performance in female rugby players. A quasi-experimental design was used on female varsity rugby players (n=13) who were divided into 2 groups based on their playing position – forward or back. Each group was then split into 2 groups: intervention (n=8) and control (n=5). Intervention participants were provided …

Association Between Coaching Behavior Styles And Athlete Well-Being: A Systematic Review, Matthew Benavides, Olivia Evola, Devjja V. Joshi, Arpita M. Bedarkar, Amerigo Rossi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Coaching behavior plays a critical role in shaping athlete outcomes, including motivation, performance, satisfaction, and burnout. PURPOSE: Evaluates how different coaching styles are associated with athlete well-being and the psychological mechanisms involved. METHODS: A detailed search of ProQuest, Gale and EBSCO databases was done. Five peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria of college student athletes competing in NCAA or NAIA in the US or Canada and studies involving the coaching styles of either autocratic, democratic, transformational, congruent leadership or intrinsic motivation were systematically reviewed. 1,900 athletes were evaluated in the included studies of relationships between coaching behaviors and student …

Changes In Sleep Quality, Stress, And Body Composition Are Associated With Performance Outcomes In Ncaa Division Ii Athletes Throughout A Competitive Season, Jonathan Bainton, Bridget Mcfadden

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Collegiate athletes experience physical and physiological demands that may impact sleep quality and mood and in turn affect performance. PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between changes in sleep quality, mood, and body composition (BC) with performance outcomes in collegiate athletes throughout a season. METHODS: Thirty-eight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II soccer and volleyball athletes (age: 20 ± 3 years) completed performance and BC testing pre- and post-season. BC was assessed by air-displacement plethysmography to determine body mass (BM), fat-free mass (FFM), and body fat (BF%). Power was assessed using maximal countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) with hands on hips …

Physical Therapist Perceptions And Practices Regarding Acl Preoperative Strength Training, Shrey Dhiman, Alex Rothstein, Mike Tautonico

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common musculoskeletal condition that may result in long-term functional limitations. Preoperative strength training (PST) is associated with improved postoperative outcomes following ACL reconstruction (ACLR), yet its clinical implementation remains inconsistent. PURPOSE: To characterize the frequency of PST implementation, physical therapists’ (PTs) perceptions of its importance, and perceived barriers to its use in ACLR care. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey of licensed U.S. PTs was conducted using snowball sampling. The questionnaire was developed from prior literature, pilot-tested, and refined. Of 221 responses, 42 incomplete or non-consented responses were excluded, yielding 179 analyzed responses. Descriptive …