Health and Physical Education Commons^™

Examining Online Fitness Program Participation Behavior During The Covid-19 Pandemic: An Application Of Theory Of Planned Behavior, Ran Wei

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine fitness participants’ online fitness program (OFP) participation intention and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized self-administered online survey which included three parts: Theory of Planed Behavior (TPB) measurement scale and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire version 2.0 (GPAQ-v2.0) plus demographic information. TPB was used to examine OFP participation behavior with four variables: Attitude toward the behavior (AB), subjective norm (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and participation intention (PI). Role identity (RI) and past behavior (PB) were included as additional variables in the original TPB model. Fitness participants’ OFP participation behavior before …

Effects Of High Intensity Interval Training On Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Body Composition In Women: A Review, Rachel Marie Dykstra

Dissertations

Background: A growing body of literature indicates that women, in comparison to men, report significantly more barriers to exercise, often times related to perceived lack of time due to their social roles (e.g. family responsibility, childcare). Therefore, it has been considered that exercise programs that require less time commitments would be more attractive for women to alleviate this concern. Objective: This review was conducted to comprehensively understand the present literature surrounding women and such a time-efficient protocol: high intensity interval training (HIIT). The primary aim was to determine the impact of HIIT on both cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition. …

Psychological Effects And Treatment Of An Injury On An Athlete: Suggested Treatment Plan For Athletic Trainers And Physical Therapist, Odell Miller

Honors Theses

Injuries that force athletes to lose participation in their sport and or training have a tremendous impact on their mental health. Mental health issues can be detrimental, but often times go unnoticed. For example in 2010, Kenny McKinley, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, was found dead after killing himself with a gun. After suffering a knee injury, he had become progressively depressed. Investigators reported that there are statements saying that McKinley didn’t know what he would do without football. According to NCAA’s Sports Science Institute (2017), the psychological response to injury can trigger mental health issues such as: …

The Effects Of Exercise On The Cognitive Function Of Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Amanda Savitski

Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is America’s most common neurodegenerative disease affecting over 5.4 million Americans (Fernández et al., 2017). A literature review was completed to assess the possible relation between physical activity and the progression of AD. Articles were collected from various peer-reviewed, published journals using the available databases of Western Michigan University library which included PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Keywords used for the database searches included “Alzheimer”, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, “neurodegeneration”, “aging brain”, “exercise”, and “physical activity”. Based upon the literature reviewed, aerobic exercise appears to slow the progression of AD and possibly reverses it slightly …

The Importance Of Athletic Trainers At The High School Level And Barriers To Hire, Nathan Southerington

Honors Theses

The goal of the study is to unveil the significance of the athletic training profession at the high school level and identify any barriers that restrict high schools from employing athletic trainers (ATs). While ATs are a commodity in collegiate and professional sports, many high schools around the nation struggle to employ these health care professionals. Surveys were sent to both superintendents and athletic directors (ADs) throughout the state of Michigan, to establish common hindrances to hiring athletic trainers in secondary schools. The survey covered topics such as common barriers to hiring ATs, reasons they prefer to hire ATs, school …

Mirror Therapy, A Pain Management Therapy, Gabriella Andrews

Honors Theses

This project was undertaken to explore the use of mirror therapy (MT) as a palliative for stroke patients and amputees experiencing phantom limb pain. MT is a relatively new treatment and while it has limited research, it is starting to be used more within the rehabilitation setting. Research suggests MT has beneficial effects occur with phantom limb pain as well as post-stroke patients. This study will explain the history, uses, and research behind MT not only as a form of therapy but also a non-medicinal pain reliever.

Included are interviews from physical therapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) along with …

Experiences Of Underrepresented Minority Students In Health Professions Programs, And Their Journeys To The Programs, Alisha L. Davis

Dissertations

Classified as a public health concern, the lack of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in the U.S. health care workforce is still prominent today, even with the increase of URM groups having reached historic numbers of representation within the United States. It is projected that by 2050, URM groups will replace Whites as the majority, yet Whites currently make up the majority of the health care workforce. URM health professionals are more likely to provide accessible and culturally competent health services, and practice in racially and ethnically diverse communities. This helps to eliminate health care disparities, and reduces inequities found in …

The Impact Of Heart Rate Monitor Use On Student Intensity In Elementary Physical Education, Gerrit J. Van Klaveren

Masters Theses

Heart rate monitors (HRM) were used with 80 fifth grade students during an eight-day basketball unit in one elementary school located in Otsego County, Michigan to see if the implementation had any effect on increasing the intensity of the participating students. Specifically, the HRM measured the amount of time the students were engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). It was hypothesized that with the use of HRM, students would increase their MVPA and maintain that time in MVPA by the eighth day. The eight days were split into four levels where students were introduced to a new feature …

Cross-Cultural Mentoring Relationships Between Faculty And Students In Undergraduate Athletic Training Programs, Scott D. Michel

Dissertations

The art of passing on knowledge and experience from one generation to the next has been a part of our cultural structure since the beginning of civilization. Whether through verbal or written language, informal or formal mentoring processes have been used by faculty to pass knowledge down to the younger generations of students. Mentoring, however, is not an easy process; especially when the faculty mentor and the student mentee are of different races. With the continual increase in diversity of the student body, there is a growing need for White faculty members to become more culturally aware and to possess …

Factors Lnfluencing Weight Gain And Perceived Barriers Of Exercise In First Semester College Students, Noah C. Neuenfeldt

Masters Theses

College students believe that university weight management interventions impact their health habits. This suggests that universities can play a large role in encouraging students to be active. The purpose of this study was to investigate this claim and to acquire a better understanding of weight change in first year college students in the first semester. We specifically sought to identify the variables that influence weight gain, as well as determine the awareness and usage of resources available to the students. A survey was given to first year students addressing the variables of interest including change in weight and Body Mass …

Lnfluences Lmpacting The Development Of Entry-Level Master's Athletic Training Programs, Jennifer E. Deranek

Dissertations

Athletic training is an allied health profession in which individuals receive education in prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnoses, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation for injuries and medical conditions. Currently, the route for an individual to become a certified athletic trainer is to graduate from an institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Most commonly, entry-level education for athletic trainers is gained at the 331 institutions that host a bachelor’s level professional program. However, there is a recent desire to change the educational requirements and to require a professional master’s degree. If the degree change would occur, …

Determining Characteristics That Increase Success On The National Asthma Educator Certification Exam, Karen Kain

Dissertations

The National Asthma Educator Certification Board, Inc. (NAECB) is a voluntary health certifying board created in 2001 to evaluate the professional competence of asthma educators. The primary purpose of the NAECB is to prepare and conduct examinations to test the qualifications of candidates for certification as asthma educators. Certification is voluntary and is not required by law for employment in the field, although some agencies may use AE-C® certification as a basis for employment, job promotions, salary increases, or other considerations. The mission of the NAECB is to promote optimal asthma management and quality of life among individuals with asthma …

Direct Care Workers Perceptions And Practices Related To Quality Of Life In Long Term Care, Karen M. Kinyon

Dissertations

The focus of this case study was to discover how DCWs define success in their practice and what institutional and individual factors contribute to their successful practices. It describes how DCWs perceive quality of life for NH residents and how their practices reflect quality of life indicators. The conceptual model for which this research is based on was developed around the concepts that individual and institutional factors contribute to the successful practices of direct care workers; and, how these DCWs perceive quality of life influences how they practice to promote quality of life for nursing home residents. Using a case …

Perceived Levels Of Nurse Educators' Attainment Of Nln Core Competencies, Julie Kinney Higbie

Dissertations

Nurse educators need to be well-prepared with essential competencies, to prepare nurses for their future in health care. Nurses who are recruited to teach, must meet at least minimal competencies and be provided appropriate resources to assume their roles in academia. The recently published National League for Nursing (NLN) Core Competencies for Nurse Educators (2005) identify the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for both novice and experienced faculty.

This research study explored faculty's perceived attainment of these competencies utilizing Benner's Novice to Expert theory as a framework. It examined several areas of interest related to nurse educator competency, years of …

Grade Point Average As A Predictor Of Timely Graduation From Associate Degree Registered Nursing Programs, Delores J. Jackson

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if admission selection strategies that utilize cumulative and/or pre-requisite GPA are predictive of timely graduation for associate degree nursing (RN-AD) students. Data were obtained from de-identified records of 437 associate degree nursing students enrolled in three Midwest community colleges from 2003-2006. Of the total sample, only 44% of the students graduated on time (i.e., in four semesters or two years). Although a statistically significant difference was found for timely graduation rates between colleges (ranging from 29% in College B to 54% in College A), no relationship was found for cumulative GPA, pre-requisite …

Nursing Faculty Experiences And Perceptions Of The Implementation Process To A Learner-Centered Teaching Philosophy: A Case Study, Sharon L. Colley

Dissertations

This study explores nursing faculty's experiences with and perceptions of, their school of nursing's change to a learner-centered teaching philosophy. The primary research goals are to determine faculty perceptions of what learner-centered approaches they are utilizing in their classes, what change conditions they perceive as significant to the implementation process, and how they perceive the overall faculty progress and unity toward the goal of adopting a learner-centered teaching philosophy. Using the theoretical frameworks of Carl Rogers and Donald Ely, a case study approach is used to examine the faculties' use of five key concepts associated with the learner-centered philosophy, as …

Essential Novice Nurse Educator Role Competencies And Qualifications To Teach Ina Pre-Licensure Registered Nurse Education Program, Kathleen A. Poindexter

Dissertations

Expert nurse clinicians who are transitioning into academic positions after successful clinical careers often find they are unprepared to assume their new educator roles. While nursing clinical expertise may be a necessary expectation, the knowledge is not sufficient to assume a nurse educator position. Novice nurse educators prepared with the essential qualifications and competencies associated with the specialty role of a nurse educator will be better able to transition into their new academic roles. This study identified essential entry-level nurse educators' competencies and qualifications as reported by nursing administrators of accredited pre-licensure nursing programs across the United States.

This study …

Online Teaching Self-Efficacy Of Nurse Faculty Teaching In Public, Accredited Nursing Programs In The State Of Michigan, Kristi Adair Robinia

Dissertations

Nurse educators are being challenged to adapt to rapidly changing educational and health care environments. Higher education is under pressure to facilitate more web-based learning courses to reach wider markets of students. Nurse faculties are also being pressured to incorporate more technology into theory courses as a possible solution to a looming nation-wide nurse and nurse faculty shortage. Some faculty have enthusiastically embraced the new technology behind online teaching, while others remain concerned about online teaching effectiveness and course quality.

The purpose of this study was to examine variables that affect nurse faculty self-efficacy levels and participation in online teaching. …

Effectiveness Of Improving Performance With The Bigger Faster Stronger In-Season Training Program, Alicia D. Crelinsten

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of improving performance of adolescents with the in-season Bigger Faster Stronger (BFS) program. Thirty seven high school athletes were divided into three groups; BFS (n=l4 ), traditional weight training (n= l0), and control (n= 13 ). Each participant went through a battery of seven performance pre-tests and post-tests ( estimated 1 ORM incline bench, broad jump, one minute sit-up test, t-test, line drill, 40 yard sprint, 1.5 mile run). Following the pre-testing, the control group continued to participate in their sport. The BFS group participated in the in-season BFS program (30 minute supervised session consisting …

Transitioning Between The Requirements Of Accrediting Bodies In Athletic Training Education Programs: What Might It Take?, Jennifer O'Donoghue

Dissertations

Athletic training education accreditation recently transitioned from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to the newly established independent accrediting agency: the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

The purpose of this case study was to utilize Western Michigan University's Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program (WMU-ATEP), as an illustrative case, to examine and evaluate the effort and structural, curricular, human, and financial resources necessary to satisfy the requirements of the 2005 CAATE Standards for the Accreditation of Entry-Level Athletic Training Education Programs and Comprehensive Review for Accreditation Process when it transitioned from the 2001 CAAHEP …

Systematic Study Of The Validity Of Clinical Performance Assessments In Entry-Level Athletic Training Education, Gayle A. Thompson

Dissertations

PPerformance assessment (PA) is essential to determining the competency of clinical skills in allied health education, yet little research has been conducted to determine what validity evidence supports the interpretations made from PA currently utilized in athletic training clinical education. This study examined current PA practice and associated effectiveness of PA used by athletic training clinical practicum course instructors. Current research suggests the most predominant method of PA utilized in athletic training follows a behavioral approach that emphasizes observation of specific skills in standardized ways, as exemplified by the 'check-list' method. An alternative to the behavioral approach is the holistic …

The Influence Of Pedometers And Heart Rate Monitors On Academic Learning Time In Physical Education, Jeffrey E. Kingma

Masters Theses

This study looked at pedometers and heart rate monitors, to see if they influence academic learning time in physical education (ALT-PE). ALT-PE is a behavioral measurement of quality analyzing the percentage of time students are motor engaged during the physical education class. The study used two physical education classes each participating in a basketball and a soccer unit. Video was taken and analyzed of the two week baseline and experimental units. During the experimental unit, one third of the class received pedometers, one third heart rate monitors and one third no device. Each class day students rotated through each condition. …

Self-Reported Health And Fitness Habits Of Certified Athletic Trainers, Jessica J. Groth

Masters Theses

The purpose of our study was to analyze the health and fitness habits of ATCs. One thousand participants from the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association (GLATA District 4) were invited to participate in the study. Two-hundred and seventy-five ATCs completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire was a 23-item health habits and activity questionnaire divided into four sections: fitness, nutrition, alcohol and tobacco and demographics. It was pilot tested before administration with a reliability coefficient of .73. Participants were sent an email invitation with a link to the questionnaire and were given five weeks to complete the questionnaire. Analyses were run on …

A Comparative Study Of Learning Styles And Job Satisfaction To Medical Specialty Chosen Among Physician Assistant Graduates, Eric H. Vangsnes

Dissertations

Since the mid-1980s, a trend has developed whereby Physician Assistants (PAs) are making a transition into medical and surgical specialties (Hooker, 1992). In 1984, 18% of PAs worked in medical and surgical specialties; by 1991, this proportion had risen to 22%; and by 2006, 43% of all PAs worked in medical and surgical specialties ( American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Census Data 2006 , 2007; Hooker, 1992). One development that may have increased the number of PAs entering specialties was the creation of post-graduate residency programs.

This research examined possible associations between learning style and medical specialty, medical specialty …

The Effects Of A 6-Weekly Plyometric Training Program On Agility, Jeremy Herniman

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: To determine if six weeks of plyometric training can improve an athlete's agility. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Subjects were divided into a plyometric training and a control group. The plyometric training group participated in a six week plyometric training program. The control group did not perform any plyometric training techniques and were told to refrain from initiating any lower extremity training program. SUBJECTS: Twenty eight subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups, a plyometric training group and a control group. Subjects were at least 18 years of age, free of lower extremity injuries, and were not involved in any type …

Professional Role Complexities And Job Satisfaction Of Collegiate Certified Athletic Trainers, Kirk Brumels

Dissertations

This study examined whether professional role complexities existed for certified athletic trainers (ATCs) employed at the collegiate level, and if so, what impact these role complexities had upon job satisfaction and intent to leave a current position or the profession. The amount and sources of role complexities were examined for collegiate ATCs who were employed in clinical, faculty, or joint appointment positions.

Potential for professional role complexities exist in any situation where multiple role obligations are present in the workplace. Professional role complexities for health care employees often manifest into tension, dissatisfaction, lack of energy or ambition, and decreased attention …

The Effects Of Acute Exercise Of Plasma Volume Expansion In Men – Variations Of The Intensity/Duration Relationship, Christopher Matthew Gregory

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the exercise variables of intensity and duration in relation to PV expansion during an acute bout of exercise, when the total amount of work performed was kept constant. Six male subjects completed a maximal graded exercise test and three two-day experimental trials. During the experimental trials, each subject performed one of three exercise protocols on a cycle ergometer: 50% VO_2peak (60 minutes), 65% VO_2peak (45 minutes), and 80% VO_2peak (30 minutes). Measurements of hematocrit, hemoglobin, and serum albumin and total protein concentrations were obtained before exercise (BASE), immediately post-exercise …

The Effect Of Glycemic Indices And Timing Of Meal On Exercise To Fatigue, Amy Morrison Gyorkos

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the influence of pre-carbohydrate feedings prior to exercise to fatigue. Five individuals performed a peak bike test and four experimental trials, separated by 7 days. Upon arrival, subjects ingested 1g of carbohydrates (CHO) for every kilogram of body weight (BW) of a high glycemic index meal (HGI) or a low glycemic index meal (LGI) prior to exercise to fatigue. Subjects waited 30- or 60-minutes following each test meal, totaling four experimental trials. The exercise regiment was consistent following each meal; 90 minutes cycling at 70% peak oxygen consumption (VO_{2peak …}

Effect Of The Cycle-Run Transition On Running Economy In Triathletes, James J. Swanson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prior cycling on running economy (RE) during the running portion of a simulated Olympic distance triathlon. Six triathletes and one duathlete participated in four consecutive laboratory trials: (1) maximal treadmill tests, (2) independent 40km cycling trial (IC), (3) independent 10km treadmill running (IR) and (4) 40km cycling (TC) followed by a 10km treadmill run (TR). Pulmonary data were collected every minute using an automated breath-by-breath system and compared between the first and last ten minutes of each trial. The data showed a significant increase was seen in RE from …

Safer Schools: Promoting Safe Play On School Playground Equipment, Kimberly Elaine Seckinger

Masters Theses

Each year, over 200,000 people receive emergency room care for injuries sustained on recreational equipment, and a vast majority of these injuries involve children under the age of 15 who have been hurt on school playground equipment. To date, a single empirical study has been conducted applying behavioral technology to decrease children's risky behavior on playground equipment (Heck, Collins, & Peterson, 2001 ), and showed reductions in risk-taking behavior when programmed consequences were in place. The purposes of the current investigation were to replicate and extend previous research though a component analysis of an injury prevention package designed to decrease …