Life Sciences Commons^™

Friend Social Network Size Moderates The Association Between Age And Physical Activity Across Adulthood, Ashley Kuzmik, Yin Liu, Yendelela Cuffee, Lan Kong, Christopher N. Sciamanna, Liza S. Rovniak

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 1068-1082, 2024. Both physical activity and social network size decline as people age. However, limited research has examined if social network size and contact frequency differentially influence physical activity across the adult lifespan. This study aimed to assess if these social network characteristics moderated the relationship between age and physical activity level across adulthood. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the main-effect association between age, past-week physical activity, and past-year physical activity, as well as the moderating effect of social network characteristics (i.e., friend network size, friend contact frequency, relative network size, and …

A Qualitative Description Of Graduate Students’ Perceived Decline In Physical Activity From Undergraduate School, Kristin M. Jett, Bryce T. Daniels, Max Brigance, Jessica L. Passarelli, Erin Howie

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 1038-1055, 2024. Many university students, especially graduate students, are experiencing poor physical and psychological health. Thus, universities are initiating programs like Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) to promote positive physical activity behavior to improve physical and mental health for primarily undergraduate university students. However, the influences on physical activity when transitioning from an undergraduate to a graduate student are unknown. To explore perceptions of if and how the physical activity levels of graduate students changed from their time as undergraduate students while considering environmental and lifestyle factors. METHODS: Using a qualitative, phenomenological research design, …

Investigating The Effects Of Visual Feedback On Muscle Activity, Heart Rate, Rpe, And Perceptions Of Performance In Ballet Dancers, Lilah A. Duboff, Sarah Dipasquale, Stephen Ives

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 1056-1067, 2024. Extreme postures and imbalances in neuromuscular activity may place classical ballet dancers at higher risk of injury. Dance studio mirrors provide visual feedback by which a dancer can self-correct their body position and alignment, but have been suggested to negatively impact kinesthetic abilities and decrease performance capabilities. Thus, we investigated the effects of a mirror on muscle activity of the quadriceps, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and qualitative performance. A lack of visual feedback would increase muscle activity of the quadriceps, HR, and RPE, and decrease self-reported perception of …

Economic Impact Of Cervid Farming In Kentucky, Hunter Groves

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cervid farming, an agricultural endeavor, has gained prominence in Kentucky in recent years. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the economic contribution that the breeding sectors have on the state, measure the economic contribution of high-fence cervid hunting on the Commonwealth, and investigate the combined economic impact that the industry brings to the economy. The research provided a contextual background and explained the concept of cervid farming and the history of cervid farming. A literature review explored the existing body of knowledge on cervid farming from around the country and identified the gaps within current research. Methodologically, …

The Role Of Efflux Pump Inhibitor In Enhancing Antimicrobial Efficiency Of Silver Nanoparticles And Methylene Blue As An Effective Photodynamic Therapy Agent, Yaran Allamyradov

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Efflux pumps are critical active transport systems utilized by cells to expel toxic substances, including antibiotics and photosensitizer complexes, thereby contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), which are compounds that obstruct the transport of molecules through these pumps, play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies against pathogens. This study investigates the effects of the EPI reserpine on the photodeactivation rate of pathogens when used in conjunction with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and methylene blue (MB), a common photosensitizer.

Our research reveals that the application of reserpine, in combination with Ag NPs and MB, leads …

Effect Of Glucocorticoid Blockade On Inflammatory Responses To Acute Sleep Fragmentation In Male Mice, Zim Hasan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The association between sleep and the immune-endocrine system is well recognized, but the nature of that relationship is not well understood. Sleep fragmentation induces a pro-inflammatory response in peripheral tissues and brain, but it also activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing glucocorticoids (GCs) (cortisol in humans and corticosterone in mice). It is unclear whether this rapid release of glucocorticoids acts to potentiate or dampen the inflammatory response in the short term. The purpose of this study was to determine whether blocking or suppressing glucocorticoid activity will affect the inflammatory response from acute sleep fragmentation (ASF). Male C57BL/6J mice were injected …

Analysis And Tritrophic Associations Of Bats, Bat Flies, And Laboulbeniales Microfungi In Kenya, Ally Willis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Bats (Chiroptera) are host to diverse lineages of ectoparasitic arthropods including ticks, mites, fleas, bat bugs, and bat flies (Arthropoda). Streblidae and Nycteribiidae are families in the dipteran superfamily Hippoboscoidea, and these hematophagous ectoparasites and their host associations are relatively well studied in the American tropics but not as well in east Africa. One of the main properties of host-parasite systems is host specificity, with some Eastern Hemisphere species (Nycteribiidae) appearing to display a lower level. The morphology of bat flies may drive (or be the result of) niche partitioning on the landscape of the host. Streblid bat flies in …

Contaminant Transport Mechanisms And Source Tracking In Karst Groundwater Systems Under Agricultural Land Use, Shreya Pandey

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Karst areas in general face severe groundwater contamination problems that can degrade their water quality. In comparison to other landscapes, groundwater within karst regions is more susceptible to contamination. The situation gets worse when agriculture is practiced in these karst regions, because the nutrients and bacteria like nitrates and E. coli (Escherichia coli) are released into the groundwater systems which contaminate the water quality of those karst groundwater systems. This research aims to study the impacts of these contaminants, specifically nitrates and E. coli., by identifying the contaminant transport mechanisms and source tracking of these contaminants in the groundwater under …

Climate-Smart Agriculture In Southern Kenya: An Assessment Of Factors Influencing Crop Development And Productivity, Matthew Bowers

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Globally, the adverse effects of climate change are forcing farmers to adapt their practices or risk crop failures. Throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is the largest source of food, income, and employment, so threats such as climate change can put millions of lives and livelihoods in peril if modifications are not made to the existing system. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a potential solution, as CSA techniques aim to increase the productivity and resilience of land affected by climate change. While CSA is a relatively new conceptual approach, many traditional and Indigenous techniques can be considered “climate-smart”. Understanding what biotic and abiotic …

The Evolution Of A Response To Smoke Within The Arthropoda, Adam Miles

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Many animals have a survival instinct to flee in response to fire, but do they respond to smoke alone? Many arthropods respond to fire or smoke by moving in the opposite direction (a negative taxis) to obtain shelter. At the species level, taxa that have adapted a behavioral response to fire increase their fitness. This response behavior has been observed in many terrestrial arthropods. Still, the behavior is currently unknown for marine, aquatic, or cave arthropods, which are atypically exposed to smoke or fire. This project assesses how often behavioral adaptation to smoke avoidance may have evolved within Arthropoda. Twenty-two …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 31. Wallace’S Personal Copy Of “Life Of Alexander Von Humboldt.”, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace owned a personal copy of the two-volume 1873 English edition of the Life of Alexander von Humboldt, now held by the library of the Linnean Society of London. Each volume is highly annotated, and the nature of these notes, and their several-directioned importance, is here discussed.

Differences In Cardiorespiratory Responses With Three Set-Paced Submaximal Endurance Tests In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Konrad J. Dias, Renee’ S. Rhyne, Danielle M. Callahan, Kaitlyn N. Durbin, Abigail R. Kasten, Jill Heitzman, Dustin R. Nadler

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 1026-1037, 2024. A variety of submaximal exercise tests are commonly used in clinical practice to determine an individual’s exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness. This study explored differences in cardiorespiratory and perceived exertion responses following the completion of three set-paced exercise tests. A prospective, observational, cross-sectional design assessed 30 healthy community-dwelling older adults, who participated in three submaximal exercise tests, including seated marching (SM), standing marching (STM), and standing stepping (STS). Each test was three minutes in length and required the participant to step at a set pace. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), rate …

Effects Of Remote Versus In-Person Training On Metabolic Profiles And Body Composition Of Physically Inactive Adults. Randomized Clinical Trial, Jhonatan Peña, Willlian Martin, Luis Cardozo, John F. Rodriguez, Cristian C. Peña, Luisa Cardenas, Luis Andres Tellez Tinjaca

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 1016-1025, 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the population to adopt increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Faced with this problem, remote training appears as a practical and inexpensive strategy to promote physically active lifestyles. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of remote versus in-person training on metabolic profiles and body composition of physically inactive adults. This research was conducted through a randomized, single-blind clinical trial with balanced block randomization. The sample consisted of 30 physically inactive subjects of both sexes between 18 and 30 years of age. The sample was selected using …

Skills And Hills: Factors That Influence Women’S And Non-Binary College Students’ Decisions To Commute Via Bicycle, Emily Dzieniszewski, Ashley N. Myers, Lucas D. Elliott, Melissa Bopp

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(8): 1003-1015, 2024. College students, who actively travel in the forms of walking and/or bicycling, have shown a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. Despite the known benefits of bicycling, participation is influenced by various demographics, including gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. Universities have the potential to promote active travel participation to all populations. The study aimed to understand the environmental and social factors influencing female students’ decision to commute via bicycle in a university setting. A volunteer sample of female college students (n=153) were surveyed to identify common themes from the …

The Effect Of Resisted Sprint Training On Acceleration: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Elizabeth K. Aldrich, Katherine Sullivan, Jonathan E. Wingo, Michael R. Esco, James Leeper, Mark T. Richardson, Lee J. Winchester, Michael V. Fedewa

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(6): 986-1002, 2024. Resisted sprint (RS) training, such as sled or parachute towing, is commonly used for sprint training among field sport athletes. While RS training is frequently employed by athletes and coaches, there is little research on its benefits, especially compared to unresisted running (UR) training programs with similar training volumes. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of RS training on acceleration compared to UR training. Potential sources were limited to peer-reviewed articles published in English prior to June 12, 2022, and gathered from the EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science online …

The Effects Of Torso-Borne Loads On Functional Movement Patterns, Kathryn S. Bell, Jasmine D. Brooks, Kara N. Radzak, Sean W. Mulvenon, Brian K. Schilling

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(7): 975-984, 2024. Functional movement patterns are an important aspect of everyday life, and a growing area of interest for determining the risk of injury and performance ability. Police, military, and fire personnel often carry torso-borne loads that increase the demands on the body while performing occupational tasks. The purpose of this study was to compare movement screen results in both a loaded and unloaded condition to identify potential effects that torso-borne body armor load carriage may have on tactical performance. This provided objective data on the effects that external loads may have on functional …

Running Economy Changes Alter Predicted Running Speed And Performance In Collegiate Runners, Oluchi Ibe, Robert Musci, Jenevieve L. Roper

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 965-974, 2024. The goal of the study was to determine the effect of altering running strategy on predicted running performance in distance runners through application of a novel prediction model. Fifteen male (n = 10; Age: 22.2 ± 4.9 years; Height: 177.7 ± 7.4 cm; Mass: 68.6 ± 6.7 kg) and female (n = 5; Age: 21.8 ± 4.1 years; Height: 167.4 ± 7.8 cm; Mass: 59.3 ± 8.1 kg) long distance runners were recruited to participate in the study. Participants’ oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide (VCO₂) …

Variables Associated With The Effectiveness Of Ball Possession In At-Home Futsal Matches, Márcio Aparecido Rinaldo, Edirley Guimarães De Souza, Karina Alves Silva, Bruno Marques Fidelis, Tarlyson Regioli De Angelis, Paulo Cesar Cardoso, Vinícius Flávio Milanez, Solange De Paula Ramos

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(6): 916-928, 2024. This study aims to identify contextual situations (score, game time, the interaction between teammates and opponents, start and restart plays) that increase the odds ratio of maintenance of ball possession and scoring a goal. Twenty professional futsal players were evaluated in seven home official matches. The games were filmed to analyze the offensive actions. In total, 828 attacking plays were analyzed. The absence of defensive pressure from the opponent resulted in a greater odds ratio (OR) for loss of ball possession (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.7 to 2.2), but also …

The Impact Of Load Mass And Distribution On Heart Rate, Perceived Exertion, And Accelerometer Measured Physical Activity During Running, Sean Hagstrom, Scott Conger, Jeremy A. Steeves

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 929-940, 2024. Many tactical athletes (military and emergency personnel) have fixed load carriage occupational requirements. Understanding the effects of running with common military “fighting loads” (no load to approximately 18 kg) on heart rate (HR), perceived exertion (RPE), and measuring it with accelerometers has implications for training and ensuring physical readiness of recruits. Eleven (7 male and 4 female) civilians (21.5±2.3 years, 1.83±0.09 m, and 80.7±18.5 kg) completed four, 5-minute running (8.05 kph) conditions: no external load, rifle carriage (3.5 kg), pack carriage (13.6 kg), and rifle/pack carriage (17.1 kg) in random order, while …

Blood Lactate Steady State During Interval Training: New Perspectives On Something Already Known, Juan Carlos Mazza, Raúl Ricardo Festa, Alvaro N. Gurovich, Sebastián Jannas-Vela

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 941-953, 2024. The purpose of this study was to confirm that blood lactate concentrations can be maintained at moderate to high steady state values during an entire interval training (IT) session (repetitions + rest). Forty-eight trained swimmers and track athletes performed four IT protocols consisting of 6-10 bouts between 1 and 3-min at ~5-10 mmol/L blood lactate concentrations with a passive recovery of 60 to 180-sec. Performance times were measured at every bout, while blood lactate concentrations and heart rate during recovery every other bout. One-way ANOVA was performed for comparisons and r-squared for …

Foam Rolling On The Whole Leg And Its Immediate Effects On Postural Control In Collegiate Female Athletes, Andrew Shim, Mackenzie Melton, Vanessa Fiaud, Monica Dial

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 954-964, 2024. The maintenance of body posture relies on mechanoreceptors, suggesting myofascial release could assist postural control. The effects of this have not been well documented, providing room for this investigation. Twenty-one female athletes spent approximately 2.5 minutes foam rolling the calf and thigh muscles on one leg then repeated on opposite leg for a total of 5 minutes. Center of Pressure (CoP) and Limit of Stability (LoS) were assessed using a Bertec posturography plate before (pre-) and after (post-) foam rolling. CoP was measured with eyes open stable surface (EOSS), or eyes closed …

Perception Of Running Shoe Cushioning: Determining The Correspondence Between Subjective Assessment And In-Vitro Measurement, Bahador Keshvari, Juergen Mitternacht Mr, Nick Schubert, Veit Senner

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 902-915, 2024. Running shoes, and in particular insoles, are the first interface between runners and running surface. Different insole attenuation properties may vary perception of cushioning and, accordingly, the effect on muscle adaptation. The aim of this study is to find the just noticeable difference between four insole materials, and investigate the parameters of in-vitro measurement of impact testing to predict cushioning comfort. Nineteen (n = 19) male participants were recruited from the sports center at the Technical University of Munich with a mean age of 23.89 (SD = 2.31), weight of 73.52 kg …

Fluctuations Of Jump Height In Male Basketball Players: Analysis Of A Competitive Season, Javier Biel-Costa, Jordi Vicens-Bordas, Albert Altarriba-Bartes, Oliver Gonzalo-Skok, Javier Pena

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 887-901, 2024. The present study aimed to determine whether neuromuscular fatigue monitored through countermovement jump height was a reliable and helpful marker for monitoring acute (session) and chronic (between sessions/periods of the season) fatigue throughout an entire basketball season. A longitudinal observational study analyzed the neuromuscular performance (i.e., through countermovement jump) during a basketball season. Fourteen semiprofessional male basketball players participated in the study between September 2021 and May 2022 (34 weeks, 102 practices, and 1574 jumps analyzed). Upon waking up, they completed an online wellness questionnaire. Before practices began, players performed three countermovement …

Identifying Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk In Adolescent Male Athletes, Alexis Sattler, Susan Rozzi

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 874-886, 2024. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk factors in high school (HS) athletes. Thirty-three male soccer players from a public HS in the southeastern United States (ages 14-17) self-reported survey data. Participants reported demographic, lifestyle, heart health, COVID-19 history, and symptoms indicative of SCA risk. An electrocardiogram (ECG) assessed heart rate (HR), rhythm, and electrical activity. Resting HR and blood pressure (BP) were measured with a BP monitor. The association between COVID-19 history, HR, and BP were calculated. Participants were divided into ECG …

Motivation Matters: Understanding The Antidepressant Mechanism Of Physical Activity Among Young Adults, Jessica E. H. Ryan, Travis R. Menuz, Megan E. Ames

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 861-873, 2024. A negative association between physical activity and depressive symptoms is consistently reported within scientific literature and physical self-concept has been suggested to mediate this pathway. However, for whom these associations are strongest remains poorly understood, and little is known about how other psychosocial factors might be implicated. Consequently, we examined how various exercise motivations, specifically appearance, physical health, and mental health, might moderate the indirect effect of physical activity on depressive symptoms through physical self-concept. Canadian young adults (N = 496, Mage = 20.36, SD = 1.87) completed an online questionnaire. …

How An Ijes Working Group Grappled With The Complexities Of Three Letters—Dei—With The Goal To Broaden Inclusion And Representation In Exercise Science Research, Dustin W. Davis, Matthew J. Garver, Jafra Thomas, James W. Navalta, Shannon Siegel, Joel D. Reece, Jill M. Maples

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(8): 852-860, 2024. A self-study of International Journal of Exercise Science (IJES) publications from 2008 through 2021 revealed a sex-data gap in participant and corresponding author representation. This finding prompted the creation of the IJES Working Group for Opportunity, Representation, and Diverse Perspectives. We are a collaborative team of authors, reviewers, and editors, spanning both rural and urban teaching- and research-focused institutions, who assembled regularly starting in September 2023. The goal was to contemplate potential challenges and opportunities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), elicit discourse, and broaden inclusion and representation in exercise science research. …

Bimanual Coordination In Individuals Post-Stroke: Constraints, Rehabilitation Approaches And Measures: Systematic Review, Yutong Liu, Eryk Przysucha, Taryn Klarner, Carlos Zerpa, Keshini Madara Marasinghe

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 831-851, 2024. To couple or not to couple is a dilemma for the CNS when performing bimanual goal-directed actions. Numerous interacting individual and task-related constraints contribute to the issue of effective movement coordination, and their impact on the emerging actions must be inferred from valid methodologies. This is particularly important when examining coordination in individuals with stroke undergoing rehabilitation. The purpose of this review was to identify the different constraints that may impact inter-limb coupling, and the rehabilitation approaches implemented to enhance those actions. Also, the measures incorporated to examine the effects of rehabilitation …

The Use Of Musculoskeletal Fitness Measures As Indicators Of Performance In Police Occupational Tasks, Elisa F.D. Canetti, Robin Marc Orr, William Brown, Ben Schram, Robert G. Lockie, J. Jay Dawes

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 819-830, 2024. Fitness testing is employed by some law enforcement agencies to assure performance in occupational tasks. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between musculoskeletal fitness assessment scores and performance in police occupational tasks. Retrospective data from 106 law enforcement officers who completed five musculoskeletal fitness assessments (vertical jump (VJ), hand grip strength, leg back dynamometer, 1-minute push-ups and sit-ups) and three routine occupational tasks (1.22m fence jump (FJ), 8.5m victim drag (VD) with 101kg and a get-up (GU)) were collected. A standard multiple regression was performed to determine if the …

Normative Hamstrings And Quadriceps Isometric Strength Values And Hamstrings-Quadriceps Asymmetry In Healthy Collegiate Soccer And Basketball Players, Oluwatoyosi Owoeye, Davie Mulenga, Jemma Kim, Anthony Breitbach, Jamil Neme

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 768-778, 2024. The objectives of this study were to report weight-normalized, sex- and sport-stratified normative values for hamstrings and quadriceps isometric strength in collegiate soccer and basketball players using a low-cost hand-held dynamometer and assess the prevalence of “substantial” hamstrings-quadriceps (H/Q) ratio strength imbalance (<0.6) among players. Ninety-four healthy collegiate male and female soccer and basketball players (age range: 18–24 years) were examined for baseline isometric hamstrings and quadriceps strength using a handheld isometric dynamometer with standardized and valid protocols. For soccer, the mean (95%CI) weight-normalized peak isometric strength values (considering dominant limbs) were 3.29 (2.90 to 3.64) N/kg (hamstrings) and 5.48 (4.96 to 6.00) N/kg (quadriceps) in male players and 2.62 (2.39 to 2.85) N/kg (hamstrings) and 4.55 (4.14 to 4.96) N/kg (quadriceps) in female players. For basketball, the mean (95% CI) peak strength values were 2.97 (2.72 to 3.21) N/kg (hamstrings) and 4.89 (4.44 to 5.33) N/kg (quadriceps) in male players and 2.48 (2.15 to 2.80) N/kg (hamstrings) and 4.21 (3.54 to 4.87) N/kg (quadriceps) in female players. The prevalence of substantial H/Q strength imbalance was 37% (95%CI: 24% to 52%) in soccer and 44% (95%CI: 29% to 60%) in basketball players. This study is first to provide normative values for peak isometric hamstrings and quadriceps strength using a low-cost hand-held dynamometer. The normative database from this study is valuable to coaches, sports medicine professionals, exercise scientists and other stakeholders to inform injury prevention, rehabilitation progression, return to play decisions and performance goals in collegiate soccer and basketball players.

Acute Effects Of Exercise At Different Temperatures On Clinical Symptoms And Nasal Blood Flow In Patient With Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Crossover Trial, Kanphatson Kerdkaew, Wannaporn Tongtako

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 779-793, 2024. Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects the nose and is triggered by allergens. However, no research studies have analyzed the acute effect of aerobic exercise at different temperatures in AR patients. This study was to determine the acute effect of aerobic exercise at different temperatures on rhinitis symptoms and nasal blood flow (NBF) in AR patients. Fifteen AR patients aged 18–24 years were randomized in a crossover fashion into two protocols: 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at temperatures of 25 °C and 34 °C. The NBF, rhinitis symptoms, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), fractional …