Health and Physical Education Commons^™

Validity Of The Polar Verity Sense In Measuring Heart Rate During A Hand Grip Assessment With Blood Flow Restriction, Jeff Guzman, James W. Navalta, Marcus M. Lawrence, Nathaniel Bodell, Jeffrey Cowley, Setareh Zarei, Rodolfo I. Mejia, Catalina M. Kerwin, Kynlee Sperry, Juni Timmins, Cannon Jones, Sam Brinkerhoff, Danilo Dullas, Clifford Sanders, Yahtziri Martinez, Tevin Perez, Alana Tucker, Amelia Wolfe, Merrill Funk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has acquired significant attention in rehabilitation and performance sciences. Polar is a popular heart rate (HR) device manufacturer, Polar Electro OY. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of HR from the Polar Verity Sense biceps band vs the Polar H10 chest strap during a hand grip assessment with blood flow restriction. METHODS: Twenty-three adults (9 females, 14 males, Identified otherwise n = 0; age=24.74±8.19 years, height = 172 cm (SD =9) Mass = 79kg (SD= 18.5) were recruited via convenience sampling. Participants were asked to do a warm-up including 5-min …

The Importance Of A Pressure Injury Prevention Program In Acute Hospital Settings, Sarah Orial

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: The identified practice problem for this project was the lack of a standardized pressure injury prevention program in a 350-bed acute care hospital. The lack of a standard program could be leading to increased hospital-acquired pressure injuries. PICOT: In adult inpatients in a medical/surgical unit (P), does the implementation of a standard unit-based pressure injury prevention program (I) compared to the current practice (C) increase the percentage of nursing skin risk assessment documentation (O) over a 10-week period (T)?

Evidence: The literature supports the development of standard pressure injury prevention programs and continuing education to …

The Impact Of Education And Awareness In Influencing Lifestyle Behaviors That Prevent And Treat Sarcopenia In Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Research Study, Alan Lynn Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods, cross-sectional study assessed the current level of knowledge and awareness among people aged 50 and older about sarcopenia, as well as their willingness to adopt lifestyle changes that could prevent or reverse the condition as they age. The study aimed to determine whether a lack of awareness and knowledge is linked to current lifestyle behaviors that contribute to or protect against the development of the disease. The population included men and women 50 and older, living independently in the community with no prior diagnosis of sarcopenia. The study used a custom-designed questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. A total of …

Upper-Body Post-Activation Performance Enhancement In Mma Athletes: Load-Dependent Effects Across Multiple Explosive Tasks, Jan Strawiński, Dariusz T. Skalski, Magdalena Prończuk, Kinga Łosińska, Ewelina Lulińska, Miłosz Drozd, Maciej Kostrzewa, Adam Maszczyk, Robert K. Roczniok

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has become a recognized method for acutely improving explosive output, particularly relevant to upper-body performance in combat sports. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bench press conditioning activities (CAs) at different intensities (50 %, 65 %, and 80 % 1RM) on upper-body explosive performance in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes, with emphasis on training status. Methods: Twenty-nine male MMA athletes were divided into intermediate (n = 14) and advanced (n = 15) groups. Each participant completed three CA sessions followed by a 4-minute recovery and then performed a plyometric push-up …

Referral Strategies For Recruitment And Engagement Of Community Adults Into Online Extension Health Programs, Cheryl L. Eschbach, Dawn A. Contreras, Holly B. Tiret

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This article shares details behind building organizational capacity to establish program referrals for statewide recruitment of community adults into Cooperative Extension’s online health programs. This study explores the role of intentional recruitment strategies (active and passive) to increase participant program enrollment into health education and shares examples from one state that has created a trained workforce that offers ongoing research- and evidence-based programs. After many years of trying paper, phone, and electronic medical record methods to increase program reach, Michigan State University Extension tried an electronic referral process via a QR code and web link, accompanied by program marketing, to …

Across The Pond, Across The Waistline: A Comparative Look At The Childhood Obesity Crisis In The United States And United Kingdom, Samantha N. Eales

Honors College Theses

Childhood obesity is no longer just a local concern; it’s a global epidemic shaping the health of future generations. This paper compares how two similar nations with drastically different healthcare systems, the United States and the United Kingdom, tackle this growing crisis. Although both countries struggle with fast food culture, sedentary lifestyles, and targeted marketing, their health policy strategies differ dramatically. The U.S. leans on community programs and education, while the U.K. enforces stronger national regulations and advertising restrictions. By examining nutrition, physical activity, and policy, this thesis explores what each country does well and where they fall short. It …

Influence Of Rec-Connect On Youth Physical Activity: A Multi-Year Look At Behavior Change, Cailyn A. Van Camp, Bree Bode, Jocelyn Hayward, Lauryn Lin, Nicole Jess, Marci Scott

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Background: Physical activity (PA) engagement in youth is associated with numerous health benefits. However, youth PA behaviors are influenced by a complex set of factors including school and community environments and broader societal influences. Rec-Connect^TM is a community-based intervention that aims to impact PA behavior in youth. Purpose: To assess changes in youth PA behavior across multiple years of Rec-Connect^TM implementation. Methods: SNAP-eligible youth [aged 8 to 17 (n=261, matched)] who participated in Rec-Connect^TM completed a pre and post survey to assess PA knowledge and behavior change. Educators completed implementation fidelity logs. Descriptives were conducted to examine …

Impact Of Structured Internal Medicine Pharmacotherapy Education In Improving Pharmacist Readiness In Transitioning To An Academic Medical Center, Jude Pierre, Erika Dittmar, Heidi Clarke, Radhan B. Gopalani, Stephanie Palma

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Baptist Hospital of Miami (BHM) is transitioning to an academic medical center by starting medical residency training in July 2025. As healthcare systems expand, pharmacists must ensure safe medication dispensing and provide real-time clinical decision support. To support this transition, a structured internal medicine pharmacotherapy curriculum was developed to refresh clinical knowledge and enhance confidence among experienced clinical pharmacists.

Methods: A single-site, Institutional Review Board-exempt, quality improvement project was conducted at BHM. Inclusion criteria included Clinical Pharmacists 2s (primarily decentralized pharmacists with ≥ 1 year of pharmacy experience at BHM) who completed a structured pharmacotherapy curriculum from January 2025 …

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Leading To A New Diagnosis Of Sweet Syndrome And Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Unknown Significance, Nidhi Rawat, Meron Gebrehiwot, Jason Raw, Jeyaprakash Ramachandran

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

We present a rare case of Sweet syndrome with underlying monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) which initially presented as upper respiratory tract infection.

Case Presentation

A 52-year-old woman presented with a complaint of sore throat for 6 days, productive cough and fever for 5 days, and red, pruritic, circular, tender rashes on face, arms and trunk for 2 days. There was a past history of similar self-limiting rashes presenting intermittently for 1.5 years. She also reported to be taking tablet ibuprofen, as required for the past 1-2 years, for cervical spondylosis. On integumentary examination, widespread, red, tender, annular …

Does Motor Skill Competence Influence Physical Activity Behavior? Focusing On Sport-Specific Skills, Yubing Wang, Yaogang Han, Pan Li, Bin Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The purpose of this study was to investigate the widely held belief that motor skill competence positively affects physical activity behavior (PA), considering the task-specific nature of motor skill competence and the context-specific nature of PA. Specifically, we examined the effects of students’ jump rope (JR) and basketball (BB) competence on their PA in six contexts. A total of 134 sixth grade students participated in this study. All variables were assessed using appropriate tools. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to address the research questions. Students’ JR competence did not significantly influence their PA in either JR-related or …

Uthealth Mcgovern Medical School 2025 Quality Symposium Abstracts

Teaching in Clinics

UTHealth McGovern Medical School 2025 Quality Symposium Abstracts

About Ama’S Reimagining Residency Project

Teaching in Clinics

About AMA’s Reimagining Residency Project

Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion After Covid-19, Danielle Kalberer Od, Mba, Grace Tan Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: A healthy, 39-year-old male patient presented with sudden onset, painless vision loss of the right eye’s superior visual field two months after a mild case of COVID-19.

Case Report: The patient was diagnosed with an acute branch retinal artery occlusion and referred to the emergency department for prompt evaluation. When the emergency workup was unremarkable the patient was referred to cardiology and hematology and follow up with a retinal specialist. The exhaustive systemic work-up was unremarkable other than recent COVID-19. Retinal perfusion to the affected area resumed in the weeks after the incident but irreversible vision loss occurred.

Conclusion: …

Ocular Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Report, Erica Vanderpool Od, Carla Gilbertson Kuiken Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by faulty transmission at the neuromuscular junction leading to fatigable muscular weakness. Ocular MG is distressing in that it can cause visual difficulties, but generalized MG can be life-threatening. MG is an acquired disorder that can easily be overlooked in clinic and is commonly misdiagnosed. Providers should be aware of the clinical features of this condition, as well as the critical testing needed to confirm the diagnosis so the appropriate management course can be implemented.

Case Report: This case features a 67-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with ocular myasthenia gravis …

Treatment Considerations For Early Primary Open Angle Glaucoma In Active-Duty Military, Ridwan Carim-Sanni Od, Danielle Kalberer Od, Mba

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The tools available to treat glaucoma via intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction include pharmacological therapy or surgical intervention.

Case Report: This case study explores these tools in the context of glaucoma in active-duty military personnel. It involves an active-duty army patient diagnosed with early Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) who was initially prescribed IOP-lowering medication. Barriers in treatment compliance occurred while the patient was deployed that led to significant glaucomatous changes detected when the patient returned stateside.

Conclusion: This report suggests a shift from the traditional pharmacological …

Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane For Corneal Epithelial Abrasions: Case Series, Laura Goldberg Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Corneal abrasions are one of the most frequent ocular conditions encountered in the emergency department and can lead to significant morbidity and visual impairment. Amniotic membrane has inherent anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring properties that help accelerate epithelialization and help prevent the complications known to be associated with corneal injuries. Herein we assessed the time till complete epithelialization after in-office application of cryopreserved amniotic membrane in cases of traumatic corneal abrasions in the acute setting.

Case Reports: A total of ten eyes (5 right eye; 5 left eye) of ten consecutive patients (8 Male; 2 Female; average age 40.9 ± 17.8 …

Managing User Conflicts In A Water Aerobics Program On Behalf Of A Veteran’S Group: A Short Case Study, Hadley Blankenship, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., Jason L. Scott

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This article captures an experience in conflict management that happened during the summer of 2024 as a recreational therapy intern with an adaptive sport and recreation organization located in the Southeastern United States. The backdrop to the case is that a recreational therapy intern worked with various special needs populations – mainly with paraplegic (adult and youth) athletes and veterans. In many organizations, user conflicts and poor communication regarding service provision and scheduling hinder the implementation of programs for special populations, such as veteran groups. In this case, a problem occurred with the scheduling of a water aerobics program for …

Curbing Fatal And Non-Fatal Drowning Deaths: An Effort To Reach Under-Resourced Children In Baltimore, Maryland, Ashton P. Christo, William D. Ramos

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning remains a significant public health problem in the United States, with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting approximately 4,000 drowning deaths annually. Children aged 1-4 face the highest risk, and African American children are disproportionately affected–7.6 times more likely to drown than white children (CDC, 2024). In a city on the East Coast that is predominantly African American, limited access to swimming lessons heightens the risk. To reduce drowning rates, a collaborative swimming program was established between a city high school and a public school enrichment program. The initiative provided essential water safety and swimming skills …

Diversity In Aquatics:4th Special Issue, Tiffany M. Quash Ph.D., Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq, Steven N. Waller Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The theme of this special issue is “Building a Community of Champions.” The purpose of this theme is to highlight and promote a civic engagement perspective that engages, advocates, and supports communities of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in addressing the national, regional, and local evolving health-related issue of drowning. Aquatic Settings have been a pivotal focal point of social justice, water safety, and public health, not only in the past but also in our present day (Beale-Tawfeeq, Quash, et al, 2023 and Waller and Bemiller, 2023). Diversity In Aquatics (DIA) strives to positively impact the field of aquatics …

If We Tear It Down, We Might Build You A New One: The Troublesome Use Of Eminent Domain And Urban Neighborhood Swimming Pools, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., James H. Bemiller

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Public swimming pools are a vital part of America’s recreation and sport culture since the early 1900’s. Municipal swimming pools were initially built to provide recreation and hygiene to urban communities, regardless of race or class. However, a complex history of segregation, civil unrest, suburbanization, and funding challenges has resulted in a significant decline in public pools, depriving many communities of vital recreational spaces. In many communities, options for sustaining the operation of swimming pools have resulted in pool closures. Unfortunately, once swimming pools close, especially those in aging neighborhoods in central city areas, they are seldom resurrected. They quickly …

Teaching Swimming To Children With Disabilities: A Qualitative Analysis Of Swim Instructorstea, Stephanie S. Garcia-Hidalgo, Martin E. Block

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

When teaching children with disabilities, swim instructors need to be able to assess the unique strengths and needs of each child to determine modifications needed to instruction, equipment, and the setting and then be flexible enough to make changes in real-time to ensure success for the child. Unfortunately, many swim instructors only work seasonally and have the occasional child with a disability, and as a result are likely to have limited training and experiences with children with disabilities. The purpose of this pilot qualitative study is to examine backgrounds, training, and experiences of six swim instructors who work with children …

Promising Practices For Increasing The Number Of Equity-Owed Lifeguards In Canada And The United States Of America, Sofia Pantano, Audrey R. Giles

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Currently a shortage of lifeguards exists in Canada and the United States (US) (Frommer, 2023; Santucci, 2024), and those who are working as lifeguards often do not reflect the diversity of the communities they serve (Martinez, 2020). Increasing the number of lifeguards from equity-owed groups is a potential way of increasing the lifeguard workforce and decreasing the shortage of workers in these important roles, as well as a moral imperative. In this paper I explore challenges to and promising practices aimed at increasing the representation of members equity-owed groups in lifeguarding. I begin with an overview of lifeguarding in Canada …

Adopting Stuart Hall’S “Race, The Floating Signifier” As A Conceptual Framework Within Aquatic Research And Education, Kurt J. Cordice

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

During his 1997 lecture at Goldsmiths College in London, Stuart Hall, renowned for his contributions to sociology and cultural studies, offered his argument that the concept of race functions as a Floating Signifier. In this essay, Stuart Hall’s Race, the Floating Signifier is presented as a strong conceptual framework to support more accurate and effective positioning of race as an important consideration within aquatic research and education. Evidence from a range of disciplines, including historical research, is presented to establish both the importance and challenge of race within aquatic research and education. This evidence is also used to demonstrate …

Building Swimming Skills In A Community Based Program For Black Youth: An Evaluation, Tyler Lennon Md, Mph, Ashley Hayes Mph, Leonardo Barrera Mph, Amy Hill Ms, Mph, Andy Miner, Michelle Macy Md, Ms

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Black youth in the United States disproportionately experience fatal drowning at rates up to five times higher than their white peers. Eliminating these inequities requires new approaches that address historical and structural barriers of learning to swim. The objective of this study was to evaluate the three-week long swimming component of a community-based discovery program to empower Black youth in Evanston, IL. Participants were Black youth ages 8-10 years enrolled in summer 2023 and 2024. Swim skills were assessed by instructors using the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence (PSPWC). Caregiver surveys, collected post-intervention, also assessed perceived changes in swim …

An Innovative Approach Addressing Childhood Drowning: Making Use Of Collegiate Aquatic Facilities And Expertise, Gennette Cordova, Natasha Lloyd, Chezik Tsunoda

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The silent epidemic of childhood drowning, and the racial disparities associated with it require scalable and innovative approaches that both break cycles of exclusion and circumvent our societal tendency to overlook drowning as a matter in need of urgent resolution. No More Under, a Seattle-based water safety organization whose mission is to eradicate childhood drowning, has launched the Swim Safely Series. The series is a national program uniquely poised to overcome the various barriers associated with racial and socioeconomic drowning disparities by tapping into underutilized collegiate aquatic spaces and merging water safety with mentorship and social intervention.

An Examination Of The Experiences Of An African American Male Diver On A Power Four Swim Team: An Elite Interview, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., Tiffany M. Quash Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Despite the incremental increase in the number of Black people who are learning to swim, the number of Black divers has not kept pace. In the NCAA Database, swimmers and divers were not segmented; thus, they all appear in the category of “swimming” by race and sex. When viewing the 2024 Division I NCAA Demographics Database, 89 (.02%) of 4307 student-athletes participating in swimming were Black women. For men, the data is equally dismal, revealing that 81 (.03%) of 2,608 student-athletes who were identified as swimmers were Black. The purpose of this research note is to examine the developmental experiences …

The Effect Of A 50-Mile Ultra-Marathon Race On Arterial Stiffness, N Bearup, V Cave, Z Climenhaga, M Baxter, K Dames, J Parks

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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The Acute Effects Of Action Observation Perspective On Lower Limb Strength, E Beinstein, F Saechao, Z Pourhatami, R Dimaio, K Harmon

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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Sickle Cell Disease Increases Glycolytic Muscle Fiber Proportions While Impairing Muscular Strength In Mice, E Bota, M Da Silva, C Hart, D Kim, S Kuzmiak-Glancy, S Prior

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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No Effects Of Acute Refueling Composition On Soccer Athlete Motivation Measures During Pre-Season Training, N Bruan, D Ebert, D Williams, J Nelligan, W Braun Facsm

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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