Digital Commons Network^™

Charity Simone, Mark Naison, Anthony Abd-Al Shafi Rosado

Oral Histories

Simone’s path to leadership was inspired by her late mentor, Charles Foster, who encouraged her to be an active voice in their community. After seeing issues with building maintenance and a lack of clear communication, Simone ran for office and was elected Treasurer of her Building Association in 2023. Through this role, she noticed that community work is complex and needs navigating different opinions, yet the experience ultimately reinforced her belief that community is a “verb.” To her, it is an intentional, ongoing action that requires showing up every day to hold the system accountable.

A significant aspect of Simone's …

Voices Of Sorrow And Strength: University Glee, Belle Voix And Stevenson High School Advanced Choir; February 22, 2026, Tim Fredstrom, Andrew Bruhn, Roland Hatcher, Kirstin Snelten

School of Music Programs

This is the one hundred and third program of the 2025-2026 season.

Center for the Performing Arts

February 22, 2026

Sunday Afternoon

3:00 p.m.

Explainable Multi-Modal Deep Learning For Transparent Cancer Diagnosis: Integrating Radiology, Clinical Features, And Decision Visualization, Sital Dash, Laxmi Bewoor, Yashwant Dongre, Amol Bhosle, Kailas Patil, Shrikant Jadhav, Banani Mohapatra, Bhavnish Walia

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Introduction: Although artificial intelligence–based cancer diagnostic models have demonstrated strong predictive performance, their lack of transparency and reliance on single-modality data continue to limit clinical trust and adoption. Effectively integrating multi-modal data with interpret-able decision-making remains a key challenge. Methods: We propose an explainable multi-modal deep learning framework that integrates radiological imaging and structured clinical features using attention-based fusion. Image-level explanations are generated using Grad-CAM++, while SHAP is employed to quantify clinical feature contributions, enabling unified and cross-modal aligned interpretation rather than independent uni-modal explanations. The framework was evaluated on publicly available datasets, including CBIS-DDSM mammography, Duke Breast Cancer MRI, …

The Role Of Motion Graphics In Enhancing The Effectiveness Of Infographics Design, Hussein Mohammad Al-Omari

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

An infographic's primary objective is to satisfy the demands and expectations of its audience by presenting information in a logical and intelligible way. Recent developments in graphic design techniques have made several intricate techniques approachable by artists and designers, elevating the design process to a sophisticated profession that transcends media boundaries. Static infographics and animated infographics feature the same material; however, animated infographics have the benefit of displaying information via continuous motion and animated sequences rather than in static components or separate stages, and that’s because of the special features of animation, which attract a wider audience. They are also …

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) …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Effects Of An 8-Week Resistance Training Program On Segmental Lean Mass, Corie N. Smith, Kornkanok Sophonsakulrat, Payton E. Miller, Laura Roden, Avery Prickell, Karley Rayfield, Katherine Adcock, Canyon Massengale, Jessica Jones, Grant Tinsely, Jacob A. Mota

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Resistance training is a powerful stimulus that is known to induce a myriad of positive effects in humans. A popular result desired by athletes is to increase muscle mass. However, the existing literature on resistance training and muscular hypertrophy focuses on whole body lean mass changes. The body of work which elucidate the effect of training on segmental lean mass is less documented. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a short-term resistance training intervention on segmental lean mass in previously untrained college aged women. METHODS: 22 college aged women (age: 21 ± 4) volunteered …

Changes In Ankle Angle And Knee Angle Throughout Gait With Ankle Bracing And Ankle Taping, Genavieve T. Evans, Tristyn G. Kattawar, Scott Mclean

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Ankle taping and ankle bracing are the most common solutions to chronic ankle instability and ankle injuries, however, scientific findings suggest that changes in the individual’s gait patterns can occur with the addition of ankle restrictions. PURPOSE: to compare the effects of ankle bracing and taping with no support to lower extremity joint kinematics while walking on a treadmill. METHODS: Seventeen collegiate athletes (19.9 yrs, 1.74 m, 71.2 kg) completed walking trials on a treadmill under three ankle support conditions; no support, ankle taping, and ankle brace.  Ankle and knee angles were measured during the walking trials using electrogoniometers. Peak …

Impact Of An 8-Week Personalized Exercise Program On Health-Related Fitness Parameters, Michelle Castro, Jasmeen Fajardo-Lopez, Major Martin, Raejone Lucas, Brock Niceler Md, Yunsuk Koh

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Introduction: A routine exercise program has been recommended across all demographic groups to improve cardiovascular health, muscle function, cognitive function, and mental health. Purpose: This study examined how personalized exercise affects health-related fitness parameters. Method: A total of 17 patients (age=42.88±12.89 years, male=1, and females=16), attending the fitness program at a regional hospital, were recruited. A health-related fitness battery test, including cardiorespiratory endurance, resting heart rate and blood pressure, motor fitness, musculoskeletal fitness, flexibility, body composition, and balance, was administered at the pre- (week 0), mid- (week 4), and post-study (week 8) periods. Results: Body fat (%) significantly decreased by …

Differences In Lower Body Power, Maximum Voluntary Contraction (Mvc) Of The Arms, Grip Strength, And Reaction Time In Recreational Pickleball Players And Sedentary Women: A Pilot Study, Ayah R. Elshafie, Kamila Naranjo, Pamela Gonzalez, Hashim Elshafie, Victoria Garcia, Areli Cisneros, Jabeth Azpeitia, Ulku Karabulut, Rebekah Schlatter, Guillermo Perez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Recreational pickleball participation has increased substantially among adult women; however, limited research exists examining neuromuscular performance in this population. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of assessing lower body muscular power, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the biceps and triceps brachii, grip strength, and reaction time in active pickleball-playing women compared to sedentary women to inform future research. METHODS: Ten participants (pickleball n=5, sedentary n=5) visited the laboratory to complete anthropometric measurements, lower body power assessment using a standardized sit-to-stand protocol with a Power Tendo device, and upper-extremity assessments including MVC for elbow flexion …

Differences In Upper And Lower Body Bone Mineral Density, Lean Mass, Fat Mass, And Body Fat Percentage Between Sedentary And Recreational Female Pickleball Players: A Dexa-Based Pilot Study, Kamila Naranjo, Pamela Gonzalez, Ayah R. Elshafie, Hashim A. Elshafie, Victoria Garcia, Areli Cisneros, Jabeth Azpeitia, Ulku Karabulut, Rebekah De Leon, Guillermo Perez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports among older women and includes low-impact, weight-bearing movements that may help support musculoskeletal health and body composition. However, there is limited research examining how recreational pickleball participation relates to bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition outcomes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of examining differences in upper- and lower body BMD, lean mass, and body fat percentage between sedentary and recreational female pickleball players. METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot study was designed using pickleball players (PB; n= 5) and sedentary women (S; n=5). The PB …

Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity Affects Circulating Intermediate Monocyte Exercise Response To An Acute Cardiorespiratory Or Resistance Exercise Bout In Older Adults, Matthew Nguyen, Seth Rinehart, Melissa Markofski

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The monocyte subsets classical (CD14++CD16-) intermediate (CD14++CD16+), and pro-inflammatory (CD14+CD16++) have both overlapping and independent roles in inflammation and immune regulation. Aging is associated with increased chronic low-grade inflammation, which may be influenced by both exercise and latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The PURPOSE of this study was to determine if serum CMV status affects monocyte mobilization in response to acute cardiorespiratory (CRE) versus resistance exercise (RE) in older adults. We hypothesized that CMV seropositive participants would have greater mobilization of CD16+ (inflammatory and intermediate) monocyte subsets after each exercise. METHODS Twenty-four healthy older adults (56–75 years) from a variety of …

Comparison Of Dxa-Derived Body Volume Estimation Equations (Wilson Vs Smith-Ryan) In Collegiate Rugby Union Athletes, Jmya Hughes, Hayden Johnson, Christian Rivera, Stephanie Hansford, Regan Renfro, Dalton Prye, Matthew Poole, Saheed Jaiyeola, Sage A. Newman, Adesiji Adetona, Oscar Woodside, Preston James, Kelly Hines, Jade Simon, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christopher D. Greenleaf, Micheil Spillane

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Accurate estimation of body volume (BV) is required for multicomponent body composition models. PURPOSE: Compare two published DXA-derived BV equations (Wilson vs Smith-Ryan) using whole-body Hologic DXA tissue masses in collegiate rugby union athletes. METHODS: Twenty-one male rugby union athletes underwent whole-body DXA (Hologic Horizon W; APEX v5.6.1.3 Rev 007; Classic calibration [NHANES BCA disabled]; standard tissue analysis; daily QC within tolerance) during morning testing (06:00–09:00 h) while fasted and post-void; caffeine was avoided (≥12 h) and exercise was avoided (≥24 h). Hydration was assessed prior to scanning via urine specific gravity (Siemens CLINITEK Status+; Multistix 10 SG) and urine …

Agreement Of Seca 286 Scale Weight With Dxa Acquisition Weight, Apex Soft-Tissue Mass, And Dxa Sum-Of-Components Mass In Collegiate Rugby Athletes, Matthew Poole, Hayden Johnson, Christian Rivera, Stephanie Hansford, Regan Renfro, Dalton Prye, 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

Accurate body mass is foundational for DXA-derived indices and longitudinal tracking. PURPOSE: Determine agreement between Seca 286 scale weight and DXA acquisition weight, quantify the difference between DXA acquisition weight and the APEX whole-body mass field (fat + lean), and evaluate a DXA sum-of-components mass (fat + lean + BMC) relative to scale weight as an internal QC check (Houtkooper et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2000). METHODS: Twenty-one male rugby union athletes completed same-morning testing (06:00–09:00 h) while fasted and post-void; caffeine was restricted (≥12 h) and exercise abstained (≥24 h). Hydration was screened prior to DXA. Body mass …

Acute And Short-Term Effects Of Creatine Supplementation On Urinary Creatinine And Body Water In Young Healthy Adults: A Preliminary Analysis, Kelsi R. Lambright, Cayla Clark, Tatiana C. Gaibor Verdezoto, Edwin J. Davila, Darryn Willoughby, Dan E. Newmire

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Creatine monohydrate is one of the most widely used ergogenic supplements; however, acute and short-term changes in urinary markers following supplementation are not fully characterized in healthy adults. PURPOSE: To examine acute (3 h, 6 h) and short-term (8 d) changes in urinary creatinine measures following creatine supplementation in healthy males and females. METHODS: Eighteen recreationally active young adults (8 females; 21.4 ± 3.1 years, 171.2 ± 10.0 cm, 72.6 ± 13.6 kg, and 24.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2) completed the study thus far. Participants ingested creatine monohydrate supplementation at a dose of 5 g·day⁻¹ for 7 consecutive days. Measures were …

Concentric Vs. Eccentric Asymmetry In Force Production During Pushups, Olivia D. Broaddus, Miah Barras, Dacia Martinez-Diaz, Charles Layne, Craig Johnston

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: The need for a commentary on eccentric vs concentric movement profiles stems from the innate difference in biomechanical activity during each of the two phases of movement. While all involved muscles experience stress and/or fatigue throughout the course of the exercise, the emerging nature of the stress and/or fatigue can be attributed differently at different points. The Bilateral Asymmetry index (BAI) may present in different ways in accordance with how the stresses/fatigue present. Given this variation in function, there is a need to identify eccentric vs concentric BAI. PURPOSE: Exploring the difference in BAI for an eccentric …

Validation Of Bertec Force Plate Treadmill For Asymmetry Measures, Miah A. Barras, Olivia D. Broaddus, Dacia Martinez-Diaz, Charles Layne, Craig Johnston

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: The current literature establishes the existence and detrimental impact of high levels of asymmetry in a range of physical capacities in the general population as well as performance athletes.  Given the influence of symmetry, there is a need to identify validated ways to measure it. Despite this, no uniform method of quantifying inter-limb differences exists to date. Furthermore, few studies compare bilateral data when limbs act concurrently as a functional system. One possible application of this measure is to measure the impact of an asymmetric training protocol on bilateral force production. Its theoretical applications remain untested in many circumstances, …

Body Composition Profiling Of Firefighters Who Reported Workers’ Compensation: Are Those Who Filed Fit For Duty Part 2, Jade Simon, Sage A. Newman, Kelly Hines, Newman Brian, Michael Conner, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighting requires resilience, good fitness, and body composition to prevent injuries. Excess fat and low lean mass raise the risk of MSK injuries like strains, which account for over half of firefighter injuries annually. Identifying fitness and body composition factors related to injury claims can help prevent injuries and reduce occupational risk strain. PURPOSE: We compared the BC profiles of those who filed for workers' compensation (WC) to those who did not. METHODS: Archival data for 499 career firefighters—466 men and 28 women—were analyzed from annual clinical testing. Body composition was measured via bioelectrical impedance. Participants reported whether …

A Comparison Of The Energetic Cost Of Walking With And Without A 10-Pound Weighted Vest, Aaliyah R. Brown, Dustin P. Joubert

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Walking is a widely utilized mode of aerobic exercise for improving cardiovascular health and increasing energy expenditure. Wearing a relatively light, weighted vest during walking exercise has recently grown in popularity. Despite this, it is unclear how these weighted vests impact the physiological workload or metabolic demand during walking. PURPOSE: Compare the energetic cost and cardiovascular response of walking with and without a 10-lb weighted vest. METHODS: Following screening and consent, 9 subjects (29 ± 15 years, 72.8 ± 16.5 kg, 7 female and 2 male) completed a single walking exercise session. Subjects first completed a 10-minute warm-up …