Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Acute Hypoxia Exposure, With Exercise, On Bone Metabolic Biomarkers, Alyssa Bailly

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Hypoxic environments, resulting from decreased atmospheric partial pressure of oxygen, reduce oxygen availability in the blood and tissues, leading to a mismatch between supply and demand. This elicits several physiological adaptations and may influence bone metabolism. Although evidence suggests that hypoxia can modulate bone remodeling through hypoxia-inducible pathways, findings remain mixed, with most data derived from chronic hypoxic exposures in animal and cell culture models. Exercise, an essential stimulus for bone health, may exacerbate hypoxic stress; however, the skeletal response to acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise remains unclear. We propose that intermittent exercise in hypoxia may increase negative markers …

Ultrasound-Derived Liver Composition And Metabolic Flexibility Under Exercise Stress, Rhodes Van Houten

All Master's Theses

Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is characterized by abnormal liver fat accumulation in conjunction with metabolic syndromes. MAFLD affects 33% of individuals worldwide, though little is known about how increased liver fat impacts physiological responses to exercise. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between liver composition and metabolic flexibility during a graded exercise test.  Body composition was analyzed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Liver ultrasound was evaluated for echogenicity, where elevated mean gray volume (MGV) indicates abnormal liver tissue. Rates of fat (FATox) and carbohydrate (CHOox) oxidation (g/min), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and blood lactate concentrations ([LA^-], …

Age Of Anaerobic, Aerobic, And Skill-Based Olympic Athletes 1988 - 2024, Corban J. Ruiz, Iliana G. Hernandez, Edward K. Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 404-414, 2025. The age at which athletes compete at a high-level provides understanding of human physiology, development, aging and skill refinement. The Olympics, with high-level performances across events with differing metabolic demands, provide unique data for analysis of optimal performance age given the type of performance required. The aim of this study was to classify Olympic events from 1988-2024 into aerobic, anaerobic, mixed, or skill, and compare male and female athlete ages in each classification. Events of maximal effort under 2-minutes duration were classified as anaerobic. Events longer than 5 minutes were classified as …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutritional Concerns Of The Female Athlete, Ralf Jäger, Jeffery L. Heileson, Sidney Abou Sawan, Broderick L. Dickerson, Megan Leonard, Richard B. Kreider, Chad M. Kerksick, Stephen M. Cornish, Darren G. Candow, Dean M. Cordingley, Scott C. Forbes, Grant M. Tinsley, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Roberto Cannataro, Bill I. Campbell, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Jeffrey R. Stout, Douglas S. Kalman, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) presents this position based on a critical examination of the literature surrounding the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on exercise performance, recovery, and brain health. This position stand is intended to provide a scientific foundation for athletes, dietitians, trainers, and other practitioners regarding the effects of supplemental ω-3 PUFA in healthy and athletic populations. The following conclusions represent the official position of the ISSN: Athletes may be at a higher risk for ω-3 PUFA insufficiency. Diets rich in ω-3 PUFA, including supplements, are effective strategies for …

Grounded In Motion: Finding Calm Through Daily Stretching, Everett H. Tai

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson targets undergraduate students, reframing stretching as an essential, evidence-based habit for long-term wellness and stress management. The lesson's primary goal is to empower students to confidently design and consistently apply a personalized routine that protects their mobility and independence. Students will master the core science, understanding that dynamic stretching may augment performance pre-exercise, while shorter static stretches can be performed without compromising muscle performance, and post-exercise stretching can reduce muscle pain perception. This lesson emphasizes proper execution, requiring students to warm up first with 5 to 10 minutes of light activity with focus on technique. This practical knowledge …

Proximity To Cancer Rehabilitation And Exercise Oncology By Geography, Race, And Socioeconomic Status, Kathryn H. Schmitz, Kathryn Demanelis, Mary E. Crisafio, Mary A. Kennedy, Anna L. Schwartz, Anna Campbell, Jessica Gorzelitz, Kelley C. Wood, Christopher M. Wilson, Raymond L. Scalise, Alex Vincent

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology (CR/EO) have documented benefits for people living with and beyond cancer. The authors examined proximity to CR/EO programs across the United States with respect to population density, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cancer incidence and mortality rates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022–2023. Online searches were initiated to identify CR/EO programs. Geocoding was used to obtain latitudinal and longitudinal geospatial coordinates. Demographic data were abstracted from the 2020 5-year American Community Survey. Cancer incidence and mortality data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum …

Effect Of L-Citrulline On Creatine Kinase Mm (Ck-Mm) Isoenzymes In Mice: An In Vivo Study Focusing On Immunohistochemistry Analysis, Dhoni Akbar Ghozali, Annisa Aghnia Rahma, Shafira Nur Hanifa, Muhana Fawwazy Ilyas

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Highlights:
1. This study elucidates the effect of L-citrulline supplementation on creatine kinase MM (CK-MM) expression post-eccentric exercise, offering novel insights into its potential role in mitigating muscle damage.
2. The findings demonstrate that L-citrulline administration significantly reduces CK-MM expression levels in skeletal muscle tissue, suggesting its therapeutic potential in enhancing muscle recovery and performance following exercise-induced damage.
3. This study contributes valuable insights into the multifaceted benefits of L-citrulline supplementation for supporting overall muscle health and performance by identifying its protective effects under different mechanisms, including improved blood flow, antioxidant activity, enhanced mitochondrial function, and promotion of muscle protein …

Identification Of Core Competencies For Exercise Oncology Professionals: A Delphi Study Of United States And Australian Participants, Mary A. Kennedy, Kelley Covington Wood, Anna Campbell, Melanie Potiaumpai, Christopher M. Wilson, Anna L. Schwartz, Jessica Gorzelitz, Maxime Caru, Kathryn H. Schmitz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Integration of exercise into standard oncology care requires a highly skilled workforce of exercise professionals; however, competency requirements have not kept pace with advancements in the field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain consensus on core competencies required for an exercise professional to be qualified to work with adults undergoing active cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: A three-round modified electronic Delphi process was used. In Round 1, an international group of 64 exercise oncology stakeholders (i.e., exercise oncology professionals (n = 29), clinical referrers (n = 21), and people with lived experience (n = 14)) responded …

Development And Usage Of Analytic Tools And Recommendations For Validation And Reliability Studies Using Consumer-Grade Wearable Technology, Bryson Carrier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Wearable technology is increasingly utilized across various fields, yet the validity and reliability of the physiological data these devices provide are often unverified due to a lack of rigorous testing standards.

Purpose: This dissertation contains three primary works, and therefore multiple purposes. The purpose of the first project (Chapter 2) is to introduce a new risk of bias assessment tool, specifically for assessing methodological quality and the risk of bias in validity and reliability studies using wearable technology, with a focus on consumer-grade wearable technology. The purpose of the second project (Chapter 3) was to perform a systematic review …

Effects Of Aging On Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption: A Preliminary Study, Steven Klepacz

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Aging and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is something that has not been adequately studied. Studies looking at EPOC mostly are compiled of young college age individuals. Aging in humans is a topic of much research with still more to be learned. The study in this paper attempts to answer the question of whether age affects EPOC when performing a certain exercise. Preliminary findings based on general age-related research suggest the possibility. This thesis will explore the current research related to age and EPOC, analyze the findings, and discuss additional avenues for future research.

Localized Pain And Fatigue During Recovery From Submaximal Resistance Exercise In People With Fibromyalgia, Giovanni Berardi, Christine Eble, Sandra K. Hunter, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Exercise is recommended as a main treatment in fibromyalgia. However, many people have limited exercise tolerance and report exacerbated pain and fatigue during and following a bout of exercise. This study examined the local and systemic changes in perceived pain and fatigue during exercise and through the 3-day recovery following isometric and concentric exercises in people with and without fibromyalgia.

Methods

Forty-seven participants with a physician diagnosis of fibromyalgia (44 women; mean age [SD] = 51.3 [12.3] years; mean body mass index [SD] = 30.2 [6.9]) and 47 controls (44 women; mean age [SD] = 52.5 [14.7] years; mean …

Blood Pressure Surge With Alarm Is Reduced After Exercise And Diet Intervention In Firefighters, Deborah L Feairheller, Macie Smith, Megan Carty, Emily H Reeve

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cardiac-related incidents are a public health concern for tactical occupations, and cardiovascular disease rates are higher in these populations compared with civilians. Research is needed to examine blood pressure (BP) responses in firefighters. The pager alert is one occupational hazard, and it is unknown if lifestyle change can reduce the systolic surge response.

PURPOSE: To measure BP surge with alarm in firefighters to determine whether the magnitude is lower after a 6-week tactical exercise and Mediterranean-diet intervention.

METHODS: SBP and DBP and BP surge levels, circulating markers, vascular health, and fitness were analyzed. BP surge with alarm was captured …

Health Consequences Of Low Energy Availability In Females And Their Underlying Physiological Mechanisms, Grace Parry

Senior Honors Theses

Low energy availability (LEA) is a state in which energy intake is insufficient to support energy expenditure while maintaining energy balance, which has been shown to result in gastrointestinal distress, immunosuppression, reduced metabolic rate, menstrual dysfunction, diminished bone health, and impaired cardiovascular function in females. Alterations to the microbiome and mucosal lining may propagate gastrointestinal complaints and compromised immune function associated with LEA. The pathophysiology of LEA is otherwise largely driven by hormonal adaptations. Diminished production of thyroid hormones is known to contribute to reduced metabolic rate. Decreases in leptin and insulin and increases in ghrelin disrupt reproductive function through …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutritional Concerns Of The Female Athlete, Stacy T. Sims, Chad M. Kerksick, Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, Xanne A.K. Janse De Jonge, Katie R. Hirsch, Shawn M. Arent, Susan Joyce Hewlings, Susan M. Kleiner, Erik Bustillo, Jaime Tartar, Valerie Starratt, Richard B. Kreider, Casey Greenwalt, Liliana I. Rentería, Michael J. Ormsbee, Trisha Vandusseldorp, Bill I. Campbell, Douglas S. Kalman, Jose Antonio

HPD Articles

Based on a comprehensive review and critical analysis of the literature regarding the nutritional concerns of female athletes, conducted by experts in the field and selected members of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the following conclusions represent the official Position of the Society: 1. Female athletes have unique and unpredictable hormone profiles, which influence their physiology and nutritional needs across their lifespan. To understand how perturbations in these hormones affect the individual, we recommend that female athletes of reproductive age should track their hormonal status (natural, hormone driven) against training and recovery to determine their individual patterns and …

The Effects Of Cannabidiol Cream On Soreness And Performance After Exercise In Untrained Individuals, Joseph Thomas Pastina

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results from unaccustomed exercise and can lead to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Impairments associated with EIMD and DOMS can result in moderate-to-severe discomfort and hindered performance. Recently, a compound derived from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD), has been used as a recovery tool for EIMD and DOMS. Despite the rising popularity of CBD products, their effectiveness in mitigating EIMD and DOMS is unknown. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CBD cream on DOMS and performance after an intensive lower-body exercise protocol. In addition, the study sought to …

The Effects Of Acute High-Intensity Interval Exercise And Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp On Osteoglycin Levels In Young And Middle-Aged Men, Carlie Bauer, Alexander Tacey, Andrew Garnham, Cassandra Smith, Mary N. Woessner, Xuzhu Lin, Navabeh Zarekookandeh, David L. Hare, Joshua R. Lewis, Lewan Parker, Itamar Levinger

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Osteoglycin (OGN) is a leucine-rich proteoglycan that has been implicated in the regulation of glucose in animal models. However, its relationship with glucose control in humans is unclear. We examined the effect of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp on circulating levels of OGN as well as whether circulating OGN levels are associated with markers of glycemic control and cardio-metabolic health. Serum was analyzed for OGN (ELISA) levels from 9 middle-aged obese men (58.1 ± 2.2 years, body mass index [BMI] = 33.1 ± 1.4 kg∙m ^{− 2}, mean ± SEM) and 9 young men (27.8 ± 1.6 …

The Health In Mental Health: Exploring Individualized Holistic Health Practices As A Process To Transform Mental Health, Craig Craig Keaton

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Mental health problems are on the rise, especially among college students. Problematically, the two most common approaches - pharmacotherapy and talk therapy - are either grounded in a limited and suspect evidence base or is not an approach that reaches most people in need of and wanting mental health support. There is, however, a growing body of evidence supporting a health-based approach to mental health, including the application of nature, exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle. As well, with an expansive definition of health, there are even more practices, such as art, writing, and social connection to support better health and mental …

Molecular Architecture Of Cardiometabolic Responses To Regular Exercise, Jacob L. Barber

Theses and Dissertations

Background: To investigate the molecular mechanisms, determinants, and predictors of cardiometabolic responses to regular exercise, this dissertation had two primary aims: 1) Examine the molecular architecture of cardiometabolic responses to exercise training (unsupervised approach) and 2) Identify molecular signatures of responsiveness to regular exercise within clinically relevant lipoprotein traits (supervised approach).

Methodology: Multi-omics data (17,945 muscle transcripts, 4,979 proteins, 411 metabolites) from participants (n=647) who completed 20 weeks of endurance training as part of the HERITAGE Family Study was collected before and after training. We employed an unsupervised machine learning approach (Aim 1) to identify patterns of molecular responses to …

Exercise Training Attenuates Ovariectomy-Induced Alterations In Skeletal Muscle Remodeling, Apoptotic Signaling, And Atrophy Signaling In Rat Skeletal Muscle, Eun-Jeong Cho, Youngju Choi, Jiyeon Kim, Jun Hyun Bae, Jinkyung Cho, Dong-Ho Park, Ju-Hee Kang, Jin Hwan Yoon, Eunmi Park, Dae Yun Seo, Sukho Lee, Hyo-Bum Kwak

Kinesiology Faculty Publications (Archived)

Purpose

Methods

Results

Assessing The Validity And Reliability Of Several Heart Rate Monitors In Wearable Technology While Mountain Biking, Bryson Carrier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study sought to assess the validity and reliability of several heart rate (HR) monitors during mountain biking (MTB), compared to the Polar H7® HR monitor, used as the criterion device. Methods: A total of 20 participants completed two MTB trials wearing 6 HR monitors (1 criterion, 5 test devices). HR was recorded on a second-by-second basis for all devices analyzed. After data processing, validity measures were calculated, including 1. Error analysis: mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean error (ME), and 2. Correlation analysis: Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient ®. Validity …

The Athletic Gut Microbiota, Alex E. Mohr, Ralf Jäger, Katie C. Carpenter, Chad M. Kerksick, Martin Purpura, Jeremy R. Townsend, Nicholas P. West, Katherine Black, Michael Gleeson, David B. Pyne, Shawn D. Wells, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Richard B. Kreider, Bill I. Campbell, Laurent Bannock, Jonathan Scheiman, Craig J. Wissent, Marco Pane, Douglas S. Kalman, Jamie N. Pugh, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos, Jessica A. Ter Haar, Paul J. Arciero, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

The microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract play a significant role in nutrient uptake, vitamin synthesis, energy harvest, inflammatory modulation, and host immune response, collectively contributing to human health. Important factors such as age, birth method, antibiotic use, and diet have been established as formative factors that shape the gut microbiota. Yet, less described is the role that exercise plays, particularly how associated factors and stressors, such as sport/exercise-specific diet, environment, and their interactions, may influence the gut microbiota. In particular, high-level athletes offer remarkable physiology and metabolism (including muscular strength/power, aerobic capacity, energy expenditure, and heat production) compared to sedentary …

The Athletic Gut Microbiota, Alex E. Mohr, Ralf Jäger, Katie C. Carpenter, Chad M. Kerksick, Martin Purpura, Jeremy R. Townsend, Nicholas P. West, Katherine Black, Michael Gleeson, David B. Pyne, Shawn D. Wells, Shawn M. Arent, Richard B. Kreider, Bill I. Campbell, Laurent Bannock, Jonathan Scheiman, Craig J. Wissent, Marco Pane, Douglas S. Kalman, Jamie N. Pugh, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos, Jessica A. Ter Haar, Paul J. Arciero, Jose Antonio

Faculty Scholarship

The microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract play a significant role in nutrient uptake, vitamin synthesis, energy harvest, inflammatory modulation, and host immune response, collectively contributing to human health. Important factors such as age, birth method, antibiotic use, and diet have been established as formative factors that shape the gut microbiota. Yet, less described is the role that exercise plays, particularly how associated factors and stressors, such as sport/exercise-specific diet, environment, and their interactions, may influence the gut microbiota. In particular, high-level athletes offer remarkable physiology and metabolism (including muscular strength/power, aerobic capacity, energy expenditure, and heat production) compared to sedentary …

The Effect Of Acute Consumption Of Overtime Essential Amino Acids Sports Drink On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness In The Older Sedentary Population, Andi Johnson, Grant Wagner, Abraham Gomez, Jerene Yazzie, Klaudia Szych, Matthew A. Barlow Phd

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Essential amino acids are necessary for nutrition whether obtained by digestion of proteins or by oral supplementation of amino acids. The elderly experience loss of skeletal muscles and decrease in their strength and function, which can lead to poor quality of life. Increased quantity and quality of proteins stimulates muscle protein synthesis that can help combat this natural aging process. Purpose: The aim of this study was to see if consumption of essential amino acid drink high concentrations of leucin (2040 mg/serving) during exercise will attenuate the condition of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in the elderly. Also, we aimed to …

The Impact Of Exercise In Spaceflight And Microgravity Environments, William Bybee

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Since mankind’s first spaceflight, a significant barricade in reaching distant planets has been the damaging effects of microgravity upon the human body. Effects range from loss in bone mineral density and severe muscle atrophy to autoimmune disorders. The most effective countermeasure of these effects to date is exercise. Implementation of exercise in microgravity is not an easy task, so various specialized equipment must be utilized to effectively administer it. Even with this equipment, exercise as it is currently used does not entirely prevent body systems from undergoing detrimental changes. New modalities and implementations are currently being investigated that may significantly …

Dietary Nitrate And The Oral Microbiome In Obesity, Health And Exercise, Christian E. Behrens

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity ranks among the top growing health concerns worldwide. The prevalence of obesity at all life stages continues to rise with nearly 40% of adults and 35% of children/adolescents being affected. Equally troublesome is the increased risk for a number of comorbidities associated with obesity including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer. The successful treatment of obesity, particularly long-term, continues to prove challenging and is often met with limited success. This highlights the importance of continued investigation into alternative strategies that may reduce the incidence and severity of obesity and associated pathophysiologies. Regular physical …

Effects Of Exercise On Clinical Couple Interactions, Samantha Karma-Jean Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that exercise has the potential to improve couple relationships. This study contributes to current literature by examining the associations between exercise, its duration, and its intensity and daily clinical couple interactions. Participants were 22 married couples in a treatment-as-usual setting who completed daily diaries about daily behaviors and marital interactions. Multilevel models were run, and results showed that wives who exercised were more likely to report a negative interaction with their husband that day. When wives exercised longer, both they and their husbands were more likely to report positive interactions that day. Interestingly, if husbands exercised longer …

Assessment Of Multiple Concussive Athletes With Dual Task Triple Stroop And Aerobic Exercise, Sierra Duran, Sarah A. Massey, Ariel Gomez, Matthew A. Barlow 5622543

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: Athletic concussion testing has mostly recently relied on a sedentary computer neurocognitive test battery called the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Previous tests directly compare baseline with post-concussion analysis of patient in regards to different cognitive aspects including; working memory, processing speed, and response time. No physical tests are included in the ImPACT analysis for return-to-play action. PURPOSE: In previous studies from our lab in these populations we concluded that the combination of a physical neural impediment with cognitive tests (dual-task with balance impairment) created a greater degree of impairment not observed in the sedentary ImPACT test. …

Metabolic Regulation Of Myocardial Adaptation To Exercise., Andrew Alan Gibb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the benefits of exercise affect several organs, a significant adaptive response occurs within the heart. Exercise promotes cardiac growth, increases angiogenesis, and enhances cardiac function and these adaptations are associated with a cardioprotective phenotype. Additionally, extensive evidence shows that exercise dynamically regulates myocardial metabolism. This can be attributed to both changes in hormonal stimulation, increases in bioenergetic demand, and the bioavailability of circulating substrates. However, it is unclear whether these changes in metabolism contribute to physiologic cardiac growth. We reason that exercise-induced changes in metabolism are required to balance the catabolic and anabolic reactions needed for growth. Specifically, we …

The Influence Of Plant- And Animal-Based Diets On Testosterone And Lean Body Mass Is Male Rats, Damien Christopher Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Background: It is commonly believed but unproven that plant-based diets result in low circulating testosterone, with minimal gains in lean body mass (LBM). Methods: Long-Evans rats (N=28) were assigned to experimental diets with either plant (PD) or animal (AD) protein sources. Animals were further divided into two additional conditions without and with exercise. Animals were fed ad libitum for 3 months and at the end of month three blood was collected for measurement of testosterone and estradiol concentrations. Dual x-ray absorptiometry assessed body composition. Results: Neither blood testosterone concentrations nor LBM differed between rats fed the PD or AD. Conclusion: …

Biomechanical Comparisons Of The Power Clean And Power Hang Clean Exercises At Different Relative Intensities, Jacob Troy Caldwell

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare normalized peak power (PP) and peak barbell acceleration (BA) between the power clean (PC) and power hang clean (PHC) exercises among eight male weightlifters (25.5 ℗ł 2.86 yr; 85.25 ℗ł 11 kg). Biomechanical comparisons were made between both exercises at 60%, 70%, and 80% of each subject⁰́₉s one repetition maximum (1RM). When comparing both exercises for normalized PP, there was no significant difference at 60% and 70% of 1RM. At 80% 1RM, the PHC demonstrated significance (p = 0.016) with higher normalized PP when compared to the PC. When comparing both exercises …