Health and Physical Education Commons^™

The Use Of A Sepsis Escape Room Simulation To Enhance Undergraduate Nursing Student's Clinical Judgment, Alaina Peterson

Dissertations

Background: Less than 10% of new graduate registered nurses meet practice-ready expectations for clinical judgment competencies, and 52% of critical care nurses are unable to adequately define sepsis. Traditional clinical rotations offer inconsistent exposure to high-acuity, low-frequency events such as sepsis, leaving new graduates unprepared for independent practice. Escape room simulations use the proven effectiveness of high-fidelity simulations with gamification to develop clinical judgment through active learning, teamwork and problem-solving.

Objective: The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of a sepsis escape room simulation to improve perceived clinical judgment skills of undergraduate nursing students. The intervention was …

The Effect Of Part-Time Vs Full-Time Integrated Clinical Education On Student Physical Therapists’ Self-Efficacy And Clinical Reasoning, William J. Buchala

Student Dissertations

Integrated clinical education (ICE) varies across Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, particularly in the use of part-time and full-time clinical experiences. Limited research has examined relationships between ICE structure, self-efficacy, and clinical reasoning. The purpose of this quantitative ex post facto study was to examine relationships between part-time and full-time ICE models and self-efficacy and self-assessed clinical reasoning in DPT students. Survey responses were collected from DPT students who had participated in ICE experiences. Self-efficacy was measured using the Physical Therapist Self-Efficacy Scale, and self-assessed clinical reasoning was measured using the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reflection and Reasoning Scale. Independent-samples …

The Year Of Birth Age Grouping Policy: Its Impact On Participation In Us Youth Soccer, Murray James Findlay

Dissertations

In 2016, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) implemented a nationwide year-of-birth (YOB) age grouping policy that aligned youth soccer teams with calendar years (January 1st –December 31st), replacing the traditional schoolyear (August 1st –July 31st) grouping system. This dissertation investigates the impact of that policy on youth soccer participation in the United States, addressing a critical gap in empirical research linking national policy interventions to participation outcomes. Framed through the Fun Integration Theory (FIT) (Visek et al., 2015), which conceptualizes youth sport engagement as driven by social and intrinsic enjoyment factors, the study examines whether the YOB policy caused …

Determinants Of Corporal Punishment And Severe Physical Punishment In Egypt: A Mixed-Methods Analysis For Child Protection Policy, Marwa Moustafa Nassef

Theses and Dissertations

Corporal punishment (CP) and severe physical punishment (SPP) remain a major public health, child rights, and child protection policy concern. In Egypt, despite legislative reforms, survey-weighted analysis of the 2021 Egypt Family Health Survey (EFHS) 2021 (CAPMAS, 2022) reveals prevalence rates of 60.5% for CP and 27.4% for SPP among children aged 1–14 (author’s calculations using EFHS-2021, n=7623), yet evidence distinguishing the determinants of routine corporal punishment from escalation to severe physical punishment remains limited in low- and middle-income contexts. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework, this mixed-methods study identifies key drivers of CP and its escalation to SPP among Egyptian …

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 …

Examining The Development Of Resilience Through Youth Sports, Mae Grigsby

Graduate Teacher Education

Research has indicated that resilience was an essential skill necessary for facing life’s adversities. The completion of 15 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia, and The United States determined that sports provided numerous benefits in childhood and into adulthood. Based on this research, sports offered a stable, supportive environment with positive interpersonal relationships that fostered resilience and supported youth when faced with setbacks, giving them skills they would use well into their futures. With a growing number of youths impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), protective factors such as resilience …

Beyond Cough Drops And Band-Aids: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Certified School Nurses’ Professional Scope And Enacted Roles In Pk–12 Settings, Brandy Gershon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation explored the underutilization of certified school nurses (CSNs) in PK–12 educational settings across urban, suburban, and rural school districts in western Pennsylvania. Despite their advanced preparation and wide-ranging scope of practice, school nurses are often limited to providing episodic care, including first aid, medication administration, and treatment of minor injuries. This limited use reflects a significant misalignment with their professional scope of practice, which encompasses chronic disease management, health education, mental health support, care coordination, and leadership in public health. Guided by role theory (Biddle, 1986), this study examined how school nurses perceived and interpreted their professional …

Impact Of Nutrition Programs In Schools On The Well-Being Of Elementary School Students, Sophia Perea Manriquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone explores the impact of school-based nutrition programs on the well-being of elementary school students. This research draws on the experiences and perspectives of four teachers, one principal, and three food service staff members who provide insight into how these programs are implemented and perceived within the school environment. Through the use of literature review and surveys the findings indicate the importance of school nutrition programs and the value of children having access to healthy, nutritious food, which is important for their learning and academic success. Therefore, schools should recognize the importance of nutrition programs and continue to …

The Effect Of Chronic Aerobic Exercise On Working Memory: A Study On Young Adults, Alexandria J. Morris

Honors Theses

Physical activity is essential for optimal health. Cognitive function is a major part of that, and can be evaluated through working memory (WM). This thesis examines the impact of physical activity on WM in young adult college students. It reviews existing research on exercise and WM, highlights gaps in the literature focused on this demographic, and explores the importance of chronic and moderate to high-intensity exercise to WM. There is existing research that examines the correlation of WM and physical activity for both acute and chronic exercise, as well as for children, adults, and older adults. Acute aerobic exercise shows …

Eating Patterns Among College Athletes, Sarah Sanchez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine eating patterns among college athletes attending a minority-serving, urban institution where commuting is highly prevalent to assess potential risks of disordered eating, nutrient deficiencies, and food insecurity. A total of 189 students [M age (SD) = 20.29 + 1.46 years] from a mid-sized university in the U.S. responded to an anonymous online survey. The survey consisted of questions regarding food security, hydration/beverage status, demographics, disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, and food consumption patterns. Findings indicated a low prevalence of severe disordered eating behaviors within this sample. However, attitudes about disordered eating …

Assessing The Effects Of Different Exercise Modalities On Postpartum Depression, Grace Mcmillan

Honors Capstones

Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that affects approximately 1 out of 8 women, nationally, after birth. The purpose of this study is to assess how different exercise modes can impact the lives of mothers suffering from postpartum depression. To conduct this research, there will be a review of current literature and quantitative data on postpartum depression and exercise. This review will explore how cardio, flexibility, and resistance training can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of postpartum depression. This review will analyze each mode and how they positively benefit the mother's mood as well as how it can …

Community College Food Literacy Workshop Manual, Loretta Murphy Reid

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Loretta Murphy Reid on April 2, 2026.

Experiences That Influence Nurse Educators To Stay, Dana L. Crowder

PhD in Education

By 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts a worldwide RN shortage of nearly 5.7 million (Poole & Spies, 2022; WHO, 2024a). The need for more RNs necessitates the need for more students to graduate nursing programs; however, in 2024, almost 66,000 qualified applicants were not accepted into nursing programs because of limited space due to a shortage of nurse educators (AACN, 2024b; Welch et al., 2023). A nurse educator shortage exacerbates the national nursing shortage, ultimately decreasing the quality of patient care and positive patient health outcomes. The purpose of this phenomenological, qualitative study was to understand why nurse …

The Physiology Of The Work: Chronic Stress, Allostatic Load, And Faculty Wellness In Counselor Education, Ajayla S. Evins

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Counselor educators embody multifaceted professional roles across teaching, supervision, research, leadership, and service, exerting a profound influence on the formation of counselors and the ongoing development of the profession (CACREP, 2024; Calley & Hawley, 2008). While wellness is recognized as a core professional value in counseling (ACA, 2014), research has focused almost exclusively on emotional and psychological dimensions, leaving the physiological consequences of chronic stress largely underexplored (Bovee, 2024; Faheem et al., 2025; Lewis et al., 2022). In neighboring fields, such as public health and medicine, chronic stress has been linked to dysregulation in cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, immune inflammatory, and metabolic …

Exploring The Physical Education Experiences Of Blind And Visually Impaired Hispanic Multilingual Learners In Integrated Settings, Sheyla G. Martinez-Rivera

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Although students with visual impairments (VI) are increasingly placed in integrated physical education (PE) classes (U.S. Department of Education, 2023), the embodied experiences of those who also identify as multilingual learners (MLs) and as Hispanics remain largely unexplored. This retrospective qualitative study examined how these students experience integrated PE during their K-12 education, focusing on how language and disability identities shaped their participation. Participants included seven Hispanic students, all MLs, and identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as blind or visually impaired. At the time of the study, participants were between 18 and 33 years old and …

Learning In Motion: How Small Groups Can Promote Self-Regulated Learning In Physical Therapy Students, Sara Mclaren

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a critical skill for success in rigorous graduate health professions programs, where students must independently manage complex academic demands. Despite its importance, limited research has examined SRL processes among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the didactic phase of training. Guided by Zimmerman’s cyclical model of self-regulated learning, this study examined SRL behaviors among second-year DPT students and explored how small group learning contexts may influence engagement in SRL processes and academic performance.

This mixed-methods study included 39 DPT students enrolled in a physical therapy program at a public university in the southeastern United States. …

Evaluating Rate Of Perceived Exertion And Heart Rate In High School Weight Training Students For Assessing, Enhancing, And Maintaining Health-Related Fitness, Nicholas Searcy

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study evaluated the relationship between rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) among high school weight-training students during circuit training sessions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RPE could serve as a practical method for gauging moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among high school weight-training students while allowing students to assess and enhance their health-related components of fitness. Participants were high school students enrolled in weight-training classes who completed upper- and lower-body circuit training sessions over a 4-week period, or a total of 16 school days. RPE was self-reported using Borg’s CR10 …

Addressing Mental Health In College Athletics: Developing A Mindfulness-Centered Curricular Intervention For Student-Athletes And Coaches, Douglas W. Lampman

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Rising rates of mental health concerns among collegiate student-athletes have intensified calls for a more holistic approach to athlete development and well-being.  While student-athletes regularly interact with coaches and educators, few curricular interventions explicitly address mental and emotional wellness in the athletic context.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the development, implementation, and perceived impact of a mindfulness-centered approach and curriculum.  This curriculum is designed explicitly for collegiate student-athletes and coaches.  Grounded in mindfulness-based pedagogy, the curriculum addressed stress management, emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships, performance anxiety, and personal growth.

Using a multi-tiered qualitative design, data were collected …

Comparing Strength Testing Measures And The Association Of Strength And Body Composition In Young Children, Abigayle R. Spong

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Muscle strength is an important component of physical fitness; however, measuring it with isokinetic dynamometry (IKD) is expensive and requires dedicated space. Handheld dynamometry (HHD) provides a practical alternative for field and clinical settings. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare peak knee flexion and extension torque measured by IKD and HHD in 37 children (ages 5-11 years) and examine relationships with body composition. Participants completed a RAMPing protocol at 90^o knee flexion consisting of two warm-up contractions at 50% and 75% effort followed by three maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Body composition was assessed via DXA scans. …

An Evaluation Of Aquatic Interventions To Support Increased Physical Fitness Levels For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Grace Kasberger

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study was designed to determine the most appropriate aquatic interventions to best improve physical fitness levels in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Children with CP often experience reduced aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and functional mobility, which can limit participation in traditional land-based physical activities such as walking and playing. Aquatic environments provide safe and resistance-based environments that can reduce joint loading, spasticity, and provide training. This systematic review examined a variety of different aquatic interventions (e.g. HIIT, aerobic based, strength training, flexibility, and the Halliwick Method) to improve physical fitness in children with CP. Data collection focused on outcomes …

A Chronic Pain Self-Management Quality Improvement Bundle For Veterans, Srijana D. Baniya

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Veterans often face challenges accessing care services due to limited awareness of available resources for support, Self-care, and mental health (Harding et al., 2019; Patel et al., 2024). Given the high prevalence of Chronic pain and opioid use in this population, Self-management (SM) education and non-pharmacologic interventions are required to address the biological, psychological, and social effects of pain (Bair et al., 2015; Mumba et al., 2024; Nahin, 2017; Higgins et al., 2020). This Quality improvement project aims to determine whether implementing an evidence-based SM bundle for chronic pain improved Pain severity scores and increased understanding of SM strategies. …

Competitive Dance And The Adolescent’S Body: Considering Pedagogical Approaches To Teaching Competitive Dancers, Catri E. G. Barba

Dance (MFA) Theses

Diving into the past and researching for the future, this thesis explores the development and perpetuation of hyper-sexualized adolescent bodies through the competitive dance scene. Drawing on dance theorists, educational theorists, and embodied research (i.e., the author’s body archive), this thesis explores how the competition gaze is performed for and by a capitalist patriarchy. Specifically, this thesis critically reflects on the author’s career as a young competitive dancer in the greater Los Angeles, California, area during the 1990s and 2000s, as well as a competition dance instructor and K-12 educator for two decades, and how those personal experiences have shaped …

Promoting Postpartum Maternal Self-Efficacy Through Prenatal Pelvic Floor Health And Sensory Modulation Education, Cate Smith

Occupational Therapy | OTD Capstone Projects

Pelvic floor therapy, also called pelvic floor health care, is an emerging field for occupational therapy practitioners. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common health outcome after pregnancy and childbirth. Although most women receive consistent prenatal health care, they do not receive the education they need to manage symptoms of PFD such as incontinence, pain, and sensory dysregulation during the postpartum period. Occupational therapy can play a meaningful role in educating and supporting women during the prenatal period, postpartum healing, and role acquisition. This doctoral capstone project researched educational strategies to improve self-efficacy among perinatal women. Albert Bandura defines self-efficacy …

Exploring Youth Soccer Coach Recruitment Practices, Han-Earl Lim

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This qualitative single-case study examined how a private-interest, nonprofit youth soccer club in the Midwestern United States recruits coaches, what coach qualities are prioritized in hiring, and how organizational and sociocultural conditions shape those practices. The study was guided by three research questions focused on (a) recruitment and early support processes, (b) hiring criteria and decision rationales, and (c) the organizational and sociocultural contexts influencing recruitment. Data were generated through five semi-structured interviews with four participants who were involved in recruitment practices (the Executive Director, the Assistant Director, and two full-time head coaches). Additional sources included an organizational mapping survey …

The Impact Of Youth Sports Participation On Academic Performance And Sense Of Belongingness In Middle School Students, Kevin Stahl

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study explored the relationship between youth sports participation, academic achievement, and sense of belonging among middle school students. Using data from the Middle Grades Longitudinal Study of 2017–2018 (MGLS; National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2018), the research examined whether involvement in youth sports predicts outcomes in mathematics, reading, and students’ perceived connection to their school environment.

The findings challenged the extent to which Astin’s (1984) theory of student involvement generalizes to early adolescent populations. Although the theory proposes participation in structured activities supports both academic and social outcomes, results indicated stronger and more consistent associations between sports …

Physical Education Through The Lens Of A Transgender Individual, Allison L. Graham

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Transgender students face unique challenges in K–12 physical education (PE) that other groups of students do not experience. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the life history of a transgender woman, Evergreen, with a focus on her experiences in PE throughout K-12 school. This study was guided by Queer Theory (Jagose, 1996) and Atkinson’s (1998) life history methodology, data was collected through nine semi-structured interviews and participant-selected artifacts. Data was analyzed using Merriam and Tisdell’s (2016) coding procedures to identify themes. Findings revealed distinct experiences across four areas: (1) Elementary School PE—positive memories centered on play …

Predicting The Unpredictable: Advancing Risk Management In Fitness Centers Through Data Science-Driven Judicial Outcome Modeling, Hongyoung Kim

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

This study developed a prediction model of judicial outcomes in fitness exercise-related injury lawsuits to identify key factors influencing fitness centers’ success in litigation. Using 209 U.S. court cases from Westlaw, Phase One employed text mining and content analysis to identify legal variables. Phase Two applied descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression to evaluate the combined influence of these variables on judicial outcomes. For the multiple logistic regression analysis, the sample size was reduced to 184 cases after excluding 25 remanded cases.

Results showed that victim behavior, hazardous facility conditions, and enforceable waivers or exculpatory clause defenses significantly predicted judicial …

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 …

A Content Analysis To Investigate The Evidence Of National And State Health And Physical Education Curriculum Standards In Illinois High Schools, Amber Lyn Stewart

Dissertations

Does curriculum in Illinois high schools have evidence of National and State Health and Physical Education Standards? This study consisted of a quantitative descriptive content analysis to examine the extent to which Illinois high school curriculum material included National and State physical education and health standards. The researcher utilized a rubric that was aligned to the three sets of standards: SHAPE America’s National Physical Education Standards; the National Health Education Standards; and the Illinois Learning Standards for Physical Development and Health. The primary aim was to thoroughly examine how the standards are currently integrated. Research Question 1 (RQ1) asked, “What …

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 …