Kinesiology Commons^™

The Effects Of Exercise On Breastmilk Composition And Supply: A Critical Literature Review, Jewell Mcroy

Masters Theses, 2020-current

It is well established that breastfeeding provides dual benefits to both the mother and the infant and is the preferred method of providing nutrients to infants essential for growth and development. Participating in regular physical exercise is also well-supported by research to be beneficial to one’s overall health and quality of life. Currently there are no physical activity guidelines developed for women who are postpartum and breastfeeding. An online database search was conducted; three articles met the inclusion criteria and were included within the review. Studies were included if there were direct measures of human breastmilk composition, supply/volume, and included …

Ensemble Learning With Recursive Partitioning Methods To Explore Relationships Between Mental Health And Physical Activity, Jessica Gilmore

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Physical and mental health are imperative to maintaining a well functioning immune system, which is especially critical during a global pandemic. Moreover, physical and mental health contribute to the overall quality of life experienced by an individual. Consequently, it is important to explore factors that contribute to both physical and mental health. Physical activity has been previously shown to improve physical and mental health yet many individuals do not get enough physical activity daily. Using data collected during the larger Exercise is Medicine (EIM) study, the current study utilized ensemble learning with recursive partitioning methods to explore the relationships that …

Block Periodization Programming: Efficacy In Subjects Of Differing Strength Levels, Paul Moquin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physiological muscle adaptations due to resistance training are still not fully known. The rate and area of hypertrophy could drastically help or hinder athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to observe the changes in lean body mass (and related factors), relative allometrically scaled strength and absolute strength through an 11-week block periodized resistance training program. The subjects (n = 15) realized an increase in total body water (pre = 49.77Kg; post = 51.70Kg), lean body mass (pre = 67.98Kg; post = 70.63Kg), adjusted lean body mass (pre = 20.35Kg; post = 21.03Kg) and cross sectional area (pre = …

The Combined Effects Of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage And Heat Stress On Acute Kidney Stress And Heat Strain During Subsequent Endurance Exercise, Zidong Li

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of downhill running and heat stress on muscle damage, as well as on heat strain and kidney stress during subsequent endurance exercise in the heat. Methods: Using a crossover design and randomized order, ten non-heat-acclimated, physically active males completed downhill running in a cool (EIMD in Cool) and hot (EIMD in Hot) environment followed by an exercise-heat stress (HS) test after 3-hour seated rest. Core temperature, heart rate, thermal sensation and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded throughout each exercise session. Blood and urine samples were collected at …

Quantifying The Inter-Relationships Amongst Muscle Blood Flow, O2 Uptake And Muscle Deoxygenation Kinetics From Elevated Baseline Metabolic Rates And Increasing Work Rate Amplitudes, Lorenzo Love

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Upon an instantaneous increase in work rate (WR), pulmonary O₂ uptake (V̇O_2p) increases in an exponential-like manner towards a new steady-state. To support this increase in V̇O_2p there is an increase in blood flow (BF; O₂ delivery) to the muscle. Previous research has shown that the rate of this increase in V̇O_2p (which defines V̇O_2p kinetics) becomes progressively slower with increasing baseline WR (WR_bl). Given the paucity of research on blood flow dynamics and underlying muscle metabolic rate, this thesis examined the effect of metabolic rate on the dynamics and relationships …

Sex-Based Differences In Concussion Outcomes Among Adolescents And Young Adults, Jacob James Michael Kay

Theses and Dissertations

Concussive injuries among youth are a serious public health concern in the United States, with increasing incidence leading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to classify these injuries a “silent epidemic.” Though most concussions in youth resolve within a few weeks, a significant proportion (~15-20%) of individuals will experience persisting symptoms that can negatively affect important aspects of social life, as well as academic and vocational performance. Furthermore, guidelines from the most recent Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport highlight the importance of considering individual characteristics that may modify the nature and outcomes of concussion. Biological sex is one …

Characterizing Patterns Of Adherence To Physical Activity Goals In Behavioral Weight Control, Melissa Lee Stansbury

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Many individuals fall short of the physical activity (PA) goals provided during lifestyle programs, and there is considerable variability in weight loss response and adherence to recommendations for behavior change. Weight loss response within the early weeks of program initiation predicts future weight loss success; however, little is known about what distinguishes those who respond well to treatment from those who fail to respond. Exposing the behavioral patterns which underlie weight loss response may point towards targets for treatment optimization. The purpose of this study was to (1) characterize individuals with distinct patterns of adherence to PA goals during …

The Process And Effects Of Ultrarunning, Ellis Ulery

Honors Projects

This project uses an in-depth research study and personal account to determine what it takes to run a 12-hour running event, the appeal of ultrarunning, and what can be learned through the experience. The project explains the efforts behind the specific preparation for this ultramarathon, the final distance of 47.3 miles ran in 12 hours, the evaluation of the enhanced mental state achieved while running, an explanation of the final results through the Central Governor Theory, and the dissection of the study Pursuing pleasure or virtue: The differential and overlapping well-being benefits of hedonic and eudaimonic motives that suggests why …

Lower Extremity Muscle Contributions To Acl Loading In Healthy And Acl-Reconstructed Females, Shelby Peel

Doctoral Dissertations

Females are 16 times greater to sustain a second ACL injury compared to their healthy female counterparts. Many of these females return to play their respective sport after an ACL-reconstruction (ACLR). However, little is known about the influence fatigue in sport has on lower extremity mechanics of ACLR females. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence muscular fatigue may have on lower extremity mechanics in healthy and ACLR females. It was hypothesized that 1) healthy control and ACLR females would demonstrate different hip, knee, and ankle mechanics, regardless of fatigue, 2) fatigue would influence hip, knee, and …

Examining The Physical Activity Levels Of Youth With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities During Physical Education And Recess, Vincenzo Nocera

Doctoral Dissertations

Introduction: It is currently believed that children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are less physically active than their peers. The school setting may offer a promising solution to allow children with and without IDD to engage in physical activity (PA). However, the current school-based PA levels of this population remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to compare the PA levels and related context of youth with and without IDD during the total school day, physical education, and recess. Methods: A total of 13 children (n = 3 with IDD) enrolled in first- and second grade participated …

Determinants Of The Carbon Footprint Of German Swimmers 2020., Ann-Marie Muehlbauer

Master's Theses

The current climate situation is placing our planet and future generations at risk, which demonstrates the urgency to combat climate change and conduct research to support this effort. Calculating the carbon footprint of active sport participation represents an important opportunity to conduct additional research. This study examined the environmental attitudes and practices of swim club members in Germany. The study had three goals: First, to calculate the total and partial carbon footprint of German swimmers; second, to understand how sport organizations induce participants to engage in pro-environmental behavior; and third, to analyze various factors associated with carbon footprint, such as …

Effects Of Flywheel Resistance Training On Muscle Function And Sport-Specific Performance In Collegiate Club Water Polo Players, Jennifer Xu

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Flywheel training has been shown to be beneficial for improving a multitude of muscle function and performance parameters, but its short-term training effects on athletic performance have yet to be established. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of four weeks of flywheel squat training on lower body muscle function adaptations and sport-specific performance in collegiate club water polo players. METHODS: Thirteen men and women who participated in collegiate club water polo performed flywheel squat training twice a week for four weeks. Isokinetic knee extension peak power (PP) and peak torque (PT), flywheel squat peak power (FPP) and mean power (FMP), countermovement …

Zebrafish As A Model To Understand The Impact Of Inactivity And Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation On Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Elisabeth Kilroy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle plasticity is imperative for functional adaptation to changing demands in activity. Although a great deal is known about the structural and functional plasticity of healthy skeletal muscle, far less is known about plasticity in diseased muscle. Here, we combined the power of the zebrafish model with the adaptability of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to study the basic mechanisms of plasticity in the zebrafish model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Four NMES paradigms, defined by their frequency, delay, and voltage, were designed to emulate the repetition and load schemes of human resistance training programs. Additionally, two inactivity paradigms were …

Strategies And Characteristics Of Young African American Women Who Maintain Physical Activity, Chloe Jones

Masters Theses

African American (AA) women have a disproportionately higher prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity compared to their gender and racial counterparts. Young AA women experience the largest increases in weight gain between 20-30 years of age, yet are underrepresented in current literature surrounding leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) promotion. Examining young AA women who successfully maintain LTPA participation may provide insight into their methods for doing so. The purpose of this study was to explore strategies used by active young AA women that support their LTPA maintenance, and identify various characteristics of these women.

A multimethod approach (qualitative and quantitative) was …

The Effects Of Increasing Running Speed On Vgrf And Asymmetry, Kaela M. Hierholzer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biomechanical and physiological parameters related to running performance are usually studied separately. However, evaluating both aspects together could be beneficial in improving athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to observe the change in peak vGRF and asymmetry as speed increases, while observing physiological responses during a O_2maxtest. Data from athlete monitoring of 12 cross-country and triathlon athletes were analyzed. The athlete monitoring protocol included three unweighted countermovement jumps and a O_2maxtest performed by the athletes. The athletes had an average O_2maxof 53.4 ± 7.7 mL/kg/min, while their average vGRF asymmetry throughout the …

The Effects Of Different Set Configurations On Concentric Velocities In The Barbell Back Squat, Hanson Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if concentric velocities of lighter loads of could be augmented if they are performed heavier working sets. Twelve trained males with experience in the barbell back squat performed a 5RM and completed two separate squat training session conditions that consisted of three sets of five repetitions with 85% of their 5RM. Both conditions differed in the placement of a reduced-load set that was either performed after the working sets or during the warm-up period. No significant differences were observed in the working set MCVs in both conditions. Additionally, no significant differences were …

The Relationship Between Cell-Free Dna And Resistance Training, Henry Lang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purposes of this dissertation were to explore relationship between cell free DNA (cf-DNA), creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), vertical jump testing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in response to a high-volume resistance training protocol, and to assess the sensitivity of cf-DNA to different resistance training volume loads. The secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between cf-DNA and relative strength. Study 1 was an exploratory attempt to discover relationships between cf-DNA, CK, CRP, delayed onset muscle soreness, and performance variables. Seventeen resistance trained males were recruited, 9 were randomly assigned to receive BCAAs while 8 received a …

Impact Of 12-Weeks Of Nordic Pole Walking On Arterial Stiffness In Sedentary Overweight And Obese Adults, Arbër N. Shehu

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Arterial stiffness (AS) is an independent predictor for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Regular aerobic exercise is considered to improve AS. Nordic walking provides important health benefits, however, the effect of this walking method as treatment for AS remains unclear. We conducted a randomized controlled study to examine the effect of a 12-week supervised group walking intervention (controlled pace, ~3000 steps/day, 30 minutes/day, 5 times/week), with (NW) and without (SW) Nordic poles, on AS in sedentary overweight and obese adults. Fourteen individuals were randomly assigned to NW (n=7; median age 54.0 years; body mass index (BMI)=31.3 kg/m²) or …

Cadence As An Indicator Of The Walk-To-Run Transition, Colleen Chase

Masters Theses

Humans naturally select a point at which to transition from walking to running when gradually increasing locomotor speed. This point is known as the walk-to-run transition (WRT). The WRT is traditionally expressed in terms of speed and is known to occur within a close range of 2.1 m/s, which is an accepted heuristic (i.e., empirically based, rounded) threshold value. Very little research exists defining the WRT in terms of cadence (steps/min) despite the fact that spatial temporal aspects of gait underlying the WRT include this parameter. Preliminary evidence suggests that the WRT may be associated with a cadence of 140 …

Visualizing Interdisciplinary Collaborations Within Exercise Science: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth Bjornsen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Exercise science is a growing field with sub-disciplines exploring various aspects of physical activity. Diverse perspectives allow the field to answer complex research questions, but little is known about the collaborative nature of exercise science today. Research practices have implications on undergraduate curriculum, likely incorporating experiential knowledge into course subject matter and providing diverse experiences for students entering the workforce. Therefore, the purpose of the pilot study is to visualize and quantify interdisciplinary collaborations within exercise science. Journal citation analysis and an adaptation of social networking theory were utilized to examine collaborative practices of exercise science faculty at the University …

Examination Of Emergency Medical Services Activations For Sport- Related Injuries, Rebecca Marie Hirschhorn

Theses and Dissertations

Research examining emergency medical services (EMS) activations for sport- related injuries has been limited regarding the populations examined, inclusion criteria, and location. The management of sport-related injuries by EMS providers has also not been examined. The purpose of this study was to describe EMS activations for sport- related injuries from a national sample and describe their management by EMS. Data was obtained from the National EMS Information System Database for the years 2017 and 2018. Sport-related injuries were identified using specific ICD-10-CM codes for the incident location type and cause of injury. Cases were limited to 9-1-1 responses for patients …

The Association Of Exercise Training Modalities With Circulating Branched Chain Amino Acid And Ketone Body Levels In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Ryan Andrew Flynn

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Elevated levels of circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and ketone bodies are recognized as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other pathological conditions in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Aerobic exercise interventions have been shown to decrease the levels of these markers, suggesting improved metabolic status and reduced risk of CVD. However, the efficacy of resistance training and concurrent programs in reducing BCAA and ketone body levels has not been well researched.

Methods: The current study was performed as a secondary analysis of the HART-D trial, a 9-month randomized, controlled exercise-training trial of 262 participants with T2DM. Participants were randomized …

An Investigation Of Stress-Related Factors And Injury Occurrence In Division Iii Ice Hockey Athletes 2020., Christian Kiesel

Master's Theses

Many variables can factor into a student athlete sustaining an injury, but one of the most interesting is stress. The Stress and Injury Model is excellent in explaining how exactly history of stressors, personality, and coping mechanisms play a pivotal role in the stress response. If these three factors cause a negative stress response, then that will lead to an athlete becoming more likely to become injured. This study used 40 ice hockey players from a Division III NCAA institution. Each participant completed the Inventory of College Students’ Recent Life Experiences (ICSRLE) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) every month …

Acute Exercise On Prospective Memory Function: Open Vs. Closed Skilled Exercise, Grace Burnett

Honors Theses

Background: Accumulating research suggests that acute exercise may enhance memory function. Limited research, however, has evaluated whether the movement patterns of acute exercise may have a differential effect on memory. Such an effect is plausible, as research demonstrates that open-skilled exercise (e.g., racquetball) may have a greater effect on memory-related neurotrophins (e.g., brain - derived neurotrophic factors) when compared to closed-skilled exercise (e.g. treadmill exercise). A key distinction between open- and closed-skilled exercise is that open-skilled exercises are those that require an individual to react in a dynamic way to a changing, unpredictable environment. The purpose of this study was …

Veridical And False Memory Performance As A Function Of The Timing Of High-Intensity Acute Exercise, Claire Sanderson

Honors Theses

Background: Our recent experimental work demonstrated that high-intensity acute exercise improved veridical (true) memories and also increased the rate of false memories. The present experiment was designed to re-evaluate these effects for replication purposes. We also extend this literature by evaluating whether these effects are influenced by the timing of acute exercise. Methods: The sample included young adults (N=37; M_age = 21.16 years). We employed a three-condition, within-group, counterbalanced controlled design, consisting of two exercise conditions and a control condition. The exercise conditions involved a 15-minute bout of high-intensity acute exercise. These conditions included the bout of …

Is Fitspiration Truly An Inspiration? How Social Media Accounts Dedicated To Fitness And Nutrition Affect Physical Activity Levels And Body Image Among College Students, Anna Bowles

Honors Theses

Fitspiration accounts on social media are established to influence those that view or follow them to live a healthier lifestyle. However, just because these accounts are being viewed does not mean that the individuals are following the advice of these influencers. The purpose of this study is to gather data on how physical activity levels and body image are affected by the use, or knowledge of “fitspiration,” or inspiration on fitness and nutrition, accounts on social media among students at the University of Mississippi. The participants were 361 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 at the University …

The Effects Of High-Intensity Acute Exercise On Implicit Memory And Face-Name Explicit Memory, Morgan Gilbert

Honors Theses

Objective: The majority of previous research evaluate the effects of acute exercise on memory function have focused on explicit memory tasks involving word-list paradigms. For more real-world application, the present experiment evaluates whether high-intensity acute exercise can improve implicit memory function as well as increase one’s ability to remember names associated with faces (face-name paradigm). Methods: A two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled intervention was employed. Participants (N=91; M_age= 20 yrs) were randomized into one of two groups, including an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group exercised for 20 minutes on a treadmill at a high-intensity …

Physiological And Perceptual Responses To Various Types Of Exercise, Jenna Thompson

Honors Theses

Previously, we found that variable-intensity exercise (VIIE) was more enjoyable than high-intensity interval exercise (HIIT), but the physiological stress was reduced. This study will examine exercise intensity, energy expenditure (EE), and perceptual responses during and after moderate-intensity exercise (MIE), HIIT, and VIIE. On separate days, the three work-matched bouts of exercise (MIE, HIIT, & VIIE) were randomized and performed. Oxygen consumption, heart rate (HR), and muscle oxygenation were collected over the entire bout for all conditions. OMNI ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and affect, via Feelings Scale, were measured in-exercise and enjoyment was measured post-exercise using the physical activity enjoyment …

Placebo-Induced Changes In Force Production For Types Of Muscle Contractions, Nicholas V. Antonacci

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: To test the impact of a placebo drink on acute force production during isometric and isokinetic leg extensions in male and female college students. Methods: Nine male and five female subjects apparently healthy and free of leg injury completed familiarization testing and two counterbalanced trials. In one trial, participants were told they were consuming a performance-enhancing drink, although the drink contained only flavoring. In the other trial, participants were not given any drink (control). Both trials then included concentric and eccentric strength tests performed at 60 degrees per second, and isometric strength tests with the knee at a 70 …

Relationship Between Muscular Strength And Balance In An Elderly Population, Mikayla N. Basil

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: To examine the association between grip strength, leg strength and balance test performance in elderly individuals.Methods: Fourmales and four females (average age = 72.8 ± 2.1 years, average height = 167.8 ± 9.4 cm, average weight = 74.8 ± 14.4 kg) participated in this study. Participants were administered the Berg Balance Test and assigned a score out of 56. They then performed a maximal grip strength test, and maximal isokinetic leg extension and flexion tests on their dominant leg to obtain peak torque. Correlations were calculated between all testing variables using Pearson correlation coefficients.Results: No significant correlations …