Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Sex-Based Differences In Mobility And Stability Among Ncaa Division I Lacrosse Athletes, Admar Calovini, Nicole Yerys, Andrew Zalot, Jake Finkelstein, Erin Crisley, Brian Deveaux, Michael Menegalli, David Rodrigues, Ofra A. Pottorf, Katie Sell

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Mobility and stability measurements provide valuable insight into performance capacity and potential injury risk in athletes. Sex-based biomechanical differences may influence these factors; however, the magnitude of these differences remain unclear, partly due to the underrepresentation of female athletes in published research. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine differences in upper and lower body mobility and stability among NCAA Division I female (WLAX) and male (MLAX) lacrosse student-athletes. METHODS: Thirty-three WLAX (19.1 ± 1.1 y, 169.42 ± 7.2 cm, 67.6 ± 10.0 kg) and 44 MLAX (19.8 ± 1.4 y, 182.36 ± 7.0 cm, 82.2 ± 6.2 kg) …

Sex Differences In Hip Adduction To Abduction Strength Ratios And Pelvic Tilt In Soccer Players, Thomas L. Johannessen Iii, Katie Sell, Emmalee Mikulis, George Gilbert, Christina Leek, Michael Dietz, Matthew Delarosa, Emily Salgado, Justin Bentivegna, Ofra Pottorf

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Hip strength is a crucial biomechanical attribute that helps optimize sprint performance and pelvic tilt alignment (PTA) in soccer players. Research suggests that athletes with adductor to abductor hip strength (ADD:ABD) ratios below 1.0 or imbalances in ADD:ABD ratios between dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) limbs have an increased risk of groin injury. However current research on such ratios in soccer players is limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine hip ADD:ABD ratios and PTA in the D and ND limbs in Division I male and female soccer players (MSOC and WSOC, respectively). METHODS: Twenty-four MSOC players …

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 Effectiveness Of Kinesio Taping In The Treatment And Prevention Of Sports Injuries: A Literature Review, Aidan Miranda

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping on pain, muscle strength, balance, and functional outcomes across different populations and injury types. Kinesio taping is widely used in sports medicine and rehabilitation, but its overall effectiveness is still unclear. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE and ScienceDirect databases. Fifteen peer-reviewed studies published between 2008 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria. Studies included participants of varying populations and examined outcomes such as pain, muscle strength, balance, and functional performance following kinesio taping interventions. RESULTS: Findings across the 15 …

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 …

Influence Of Sex On The Effects Of Dietary Capsaicin On Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability, Hashim Ghias, Stephen Ives

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide; thus, understanding novel interventions (e.g., diet) to reduce CVD is critical. Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring allows assessment under real-world conditions and may be superior to in-office BP for CVD risk prediction. BP variability is also emerging as an independent CVD risk factor. Spicy pepper consumption and its constituent, capsaicin, reduce CVD risk, but the controlled effect on BP in humans is unknown. PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an acute dietary capsaicin intervention on 24-hour ambulatory BP, pulse pressure (PP), and BP variability, with attention to sex-specific responses. …

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 …

Born To Grow? Hereditary Influences On Muscular Adaptations, Chris X. Parnell, Adam E. Mohan, Aidan Hopper, Daniel Montenegro, Alec Piñero, Rune Segtnan, Brad J. Schoenfeld

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

GNYACSM Original Research Abstract

Born To Grow? Hereditary Influences on Muscular Adaptations

CHRIS X. PARNELL, ADAM E. MOHAN, AIDAN HOPPER, DANIEL MONTENEGRO, ALEC PINERO, RUNE SEGTNAN, BRAD J. SCHOENFELD

Applied Muscle Development Laboratory; Department of Exercise Science and Recreation; CUNY Lehman College; Bronx, NY

Category: Graduate

Advisor / Mentor: Schoenfeld, Brad J. ([email protected])

ABSTRACT

The individual variability in muscular adaptation to resistance training (RT) is a well-documented phenomenon, with genetic factors hypothesized to play a significant role. However, the extent to which heritable factors influence muscle hypertrophy remains equivocal due to the paucity of empirical evidence. PURPOSE: This study aimed …

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 …

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

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Resistance training is often overlooked in youth aged girls because of myths that it will stunt growth and hinder physical development. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of structured resistance training programs on lean body mass in youth girls. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were studies that administered structured resistance training programs of at least 8 weeks to youth girls aged 8-17, and measured lean body mass before and after the intervention. Using PubMed and Scopus databases, boolean search terms were created for each component (population, intervention, outcome). From both databases, 785 articles were screened for inclusion. Six articles fit the inclusion criteria …

April 27, 2026 Nagpra And Tribal Relations Committee Meeting Minutes, Bryan Morey

University NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee

April 27, 2026 minutes for the WKU NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee meeting. Meeting conducted via Zoom.

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 40. A Comprehensive Bibliography Of Books And Booklets About Alfred Russel Wallace, George Beccaloni, Jasper H. Pol, Charles H. Smith Editor

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

This bibliography presents the most comprehensive listing to date of books and booklets on Alfred Russel Wallace’s life and work, in all languages and editions, while excluding AI-generated works and most print-on-demand titles. It is based on a list compiled in 2023, which was expanded through searches of online catalogues and other resources. Analysis of the 160 works reveals a marked increase in publications since the late twentieth century, substantial linguistic diversity, and the growing use of manuscript sources in scholarly studies, particularly following the online availability of Wallace’s correspondence via EPSILON.

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, …

March 30, 2026 Nagpra And Tribal Relations Committee Meeting Minutes, Bryan Morey

University NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee

March 30, 2026 minutes for the WKU NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee meeting. Meeting conducted via Zoom.

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 39. What About Wallace's 'Agnosticism'...?, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823−1913) seems to have distinguished his earlier years of agnosticism from his later period as a spiritualist, but a closer look at the situation suggests he actually remained an agnostic all the way through to the end of his life. The confusion is occasioned by a lack of terminology that can be applied to his position, which most closely resembles a Spinozian manner of thinking.

February 23, 2026 Nagpra And Tribal Relations Committee Meeting Minutes, Bryan Morey

University NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee

February 23, 2026 minutes for the WKU NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee meeting. Meeting conducted via Zoom.

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 …