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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

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Articles 31 - 60 of 199

Full-Text Articles in Kinesiology

Predictors Of Resilience Among Infants At Risk For Rapid Weight Gain, Alison K. Ventura, Kristen Thompson Jan 2019

Predictors Of Resilience Among Infants At Risk For Rapid Weight Gain, Alison K. Ventura, Kristen Thompson

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: The study objective was to investigate factors associated with resilience to rapid weight gain (RWG) among predominantly bottle-fed infants.

Methods: Data came from 1,353 mothers who participated in the Infant Feeding Practices Study 2. Mothers completed a prenatal questionnaire and monthly surveys of infant feeding and growth between birth and 12 months. Infants were classified as resilient if they were predominantly bottle fed but did not exhibit RWG between birth and the latter half of infancy (≥ +0.67 change in weight-for-age z score).

Results: Thirty-five percent of the sample (n = 467) was predominantly bottle fed but did …


Effects Of Opaque, Weighted Bottles On Maternal Sensitivity And Infant Intake, Alison K. Ventura, Alexandra Hernandez Oct 2018

Effects Of Opaque, Weighted Bottles On Maternal Sensitivity And Infant Intake, Alison K. Ventura, Alexandra Hernandez

Kinesiology and Public Health

Caregivers' abilities to assess how much is in the bottle may lead to encouragement of infant bottle emptying and overfeeding. The present study assessed whether use of opaque, weighted bottles (as compared with conventional, clear bottles) improves feeding outcomes. Mothers with infants <32 weeks of age (n = 76) were assessed on two separate days. Mothers fed their infants from an opaque, weighted bottle on 1 day and a clear bottle on the other; conditions were counterbalanced. Blinded raters certified in the Nursing Child Assessment Feeding Scale scored all videos to determine maternal sensitivity. Infant intake was assessed by weighing the bottle before and …


‘Ripple’ Effect On Infant Zbmi Trajectory Of An Internet-Based Weight Loss Program For Low-Income Postpartum Women, S. Phelan, T. A. Hagobian, A. Ventura, A. Brannen, K. Erickson-Hatley, A. Schaffner, K. Muñoz-Christian, S. Mercado, D. F. Tate Sep 2018

‘Ripple’ Effect On Infant Zbmi Trajectory Of An Internet-Based Weight Loss Program For Low-Income Postpartum Women, S. Phelan, T. A. Hagobian, A. Ventura, A. Brannen, K. Erickson-Hatley, A. Schaffner, K. Muñoz-Christian, S. Mercado, D. F. Tate

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Weight loss interventions can have positive ‘ripple’ effects on untreated partners in the home, but ripple effects on infants are unknown.

Objective: To examine whether a 12-month internet-based weight loss intervention for postpartum mothers had a positive ripple effect on participants’ infants.

Methods: A 12-month cluster randomized, assessor-blind, clinical trial enrolling 371 postpartum women at 12 Women, Infants, Children clinics in CA. Clinics were randomized to standardWomen, Infants, Children or an internet-based weight loss intervention for mothers.

Results: A total of 333 of the 371 (89.8%) mothers assented for infant participation. Infants were 5.3 ± 3.2 months; 75.9% were …


More Rapid Increase In Bmi From Age 5–15 Is Associated With Elevated Weight Status At Age 24 Among Non-Hispanic White Females, Katherine N. Balantekin, Emily E. Hohman, Elizabeth L. Adams, Michele E. Marini, Alison K. Ventura, Leann L. Birch, Jennifer S. Savage Jul 2018

More Rapid Increase In Bmi From Age 5–15 Is Associated With Elevated Weight Status At Age 24 Among Non-Hispanic White Females, Katherine N. Balantekin, Emily E. Hohman, Elizabeth L. Adams, Michele E. Marini, Alison K. Ventura, Leann L. Birch, Jennifer S. Savage

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: A rapidly increasing BMI trajectory throughout childhood is associated with negative health outcomes in adulthood such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether BMI trajectories from age 5–15 predicted changes in weight and BMI from adolescence to adulthood, and dieting-related behaviors in young adulthood.

Methods: Non-Hispanic White female participants from Early Dieting in Girls (n=182), a longitudinal cohort study, were followed from age 5 to 15 and completed a follow-up survey at age 24. Participants were classified by age 5–15 BMI trajectory groups: UPC, accelerated weight gain from age …


Prevalence And Correlates Of Overweight And Obesity Among Preschool-Aged Children In San Luis Obispo County, 2006-2014, Kristine Z. Jankovitz, Alison K. Ventura, Trevor M. Curry, Victoria B. Howarth, Caitlin C. Moran, Robin M. Mertens, Leland A. Bailey, Kristen Thompson, Karen Mcgaughey Jun 2018

Prevalence And Correlates Of Overweight And Obesity Among Preschool-Aged Children In San Luis Obispo County, 2006-2014, Kristine Z. Jankovitz, Alison K. Ventura, Trevor M. Curry, Victoria B. Howarth, Caitlin C. Moran, Robin M. Mertens, Leland A. Bailey, Kristen Thompson, Karen Mcgaughey

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background and Purpose: National prevalence of overweight and obesity (OW/OB) among children remains high; surveillance of OW/OB at state- and local-levels is needed. This study determines the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of OW/OB among preschool-age children in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County.

Methods: Cross-sectional convenience samples of Head Start, California State, and private preschools were surveyed in 2006 (n=482), 2009/10 (n=559), and 2014 (n=442). At all waves, preschool children aged 3-5 years were measured for height and weight using standardized stadiometer and digital scale protocols. In 2014, parents completed a demographics questionnaire.

Results: Children assessed in 2009/10 and 2014 were …


Comparative Analysis Of Physiological Measurements And Environmental Metrics On Predicting Heat Stress Related Events, Mckenzie Lee Barlow Jun 2018

Comparative Analysis Of Physiological Measurements And Environmental Metrics On Predicting Heat Stress Related Events, Mckenzie Lee Barlow

Master's Theses

Exposure to high heat and humidity can lead to serious health risks, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and heat index have historically been used to predict heat stress events, but individualized factors are not included in the measurement. It has been shown that there is a relationship between cardiovascular measurements and heat stress, which could be used to measure heat stress risk on an individual level. Research has been done to find relationships between cardiovascular metrics in a workplace environment, however the study did not include the use of a controlled environment as a …


Promoting Healthy Food Preferences From The Start: A Narrative Review Of Food Preference Learning From The Prenatal Period Through Early Childhood, S. Anzman-Frasca, Alison K. Ventura, S. Ehrenberg, K. P. Myers Apr 2018

Promoting Healthy Food Preferences From The Start: A Narrative Review Of Food Preference Learning From The Prenatal Period Through Early Childhood, S. Anzman-Frasca, Alison K. Ventura, S. Ehrenberg, K. P. Myers

Kinesiology and Public Health

The palatable, energy-dense foods that characterize modern environments can promote unhealthy eating habits, along with humans’ predispositions to accept sweet tastes and reject those that are sour or bitter. Yet food preferences are malleable, and examining food preference learning during early life can highlight ways to promote acceptance of healthier foods. This narrative review describes research from the past 10 years focused on food preference learning from the prenatal period through early childhood (ages 2–5 years). Exposure to a variety of healthy foods from the start, including during the prenatal period, early milk-feeding and the introduction to complementary foods and …


Does Breastfeeding Shape Food Preferences? Links To Obesity, Alison K. Ventura Sep 2017

Does Breastfeeding Shape Food Preferences? Links To Obesity, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

The first 2 years of life have been recognized as a critical window for obesity prevention efforts. This period is characterized by rapid growth and development and, in a relatively short period of time, a child transitions from a purely milk-based diet to a more varied solid-food diet. Much learning about food and eating occurs during this critical window, and it is well-documented that early feeding and dietary exposures predict later food preferences, eating behaviors, and dietary patterns. The focus of this review will be on the earliest feeding experiences - breast- and formula-feeding - and the unique role of …


Associations Between Bottle-Feeding Intensity And Maternal Encouragement Of Bottle-Emptying, Alison K. Ventura, Patsy Garcia, Andrew A. Schaffner Sep 2017

Associations Between Bottle-Feeding Intensity And Maternal Encouragement Of Bottle-Emptying, Alison K. Ventura, Patsy Garcia, Andrew A. Schaffner

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: To explore longitudinal associations between bottle-feeding and maternal encouragement of infant bottle-emptying during the first 6 months of infancy.

Design: Mothers completed questionnaires during the third trimester of pregnancy, then monthly during the first 6 months postpartum. Questionnaires assessed family demographics, maternal and infant weight status, infant feeding patterns and maternal encouragement of infant bottle-emptying.

Setting: The Infant Feeding Practices Study 2, conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

Subjects: Mothers (n 1776).

Results: Repeated-measures regression was used to explore associations between bottle-feeding intensity (BFI; defined as the percentage …


Maternal Distraction During Breast- And Bottle Feeding Among Wic And Non-Wic Mothers, Alison K. Ventura, Simone Teitelbaum Jul 2017

Maternal Distraction During Breast- And Bottle Feeding Among Wic And Non-Wic Mothers, Alison K. Ventura, Simone Teitelbaum

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: To explore the prevalence and correlates of maternal distraction during infant feeding within a sample of mothers enrolled or not in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Design: Mothers kept diaries of their infants’ feeding patterns.

Participants: Mothers (n = 75) with infants aged ≤6 months.

Main Outcome Measures: Within the diaries, mothers recorded what else, if anything, they did during the feeding. Mothers also completed questionnaires on demographics, feeding styles, and infant temperament and eating behaviors.

Analysis: Mothers’ responses were coded into thematic categories. Feedings were classified as distracted when the mothers reported …


Associations Between Breastfeeding And Maternal Responsiveness: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alison K. Ventura May 2017

Associations Between Breastfeeding And Maternal Responsiveness: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Recent recommendations and prevention programs have focused on the promotion of responsive feeding during infancy, but more research is needed to understand best practices for fostering responsive feeding during early life. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the accumulating bodies of evidence aimed at understanding associations between mothers' feeding experiences and responsive feeding in an attempt to clarify the nature of associations between feeding mode and responsive feeding. A literature search was conducted between January and October 2016; articles were collected from PsychINFO, Medline, and CINAHL, as well as from references in published research and reviews. Article …


Developmental Trajectories Of Bottle-Feeding During Infancy And Their Association With Weight Gain, Alison K. Ventura Mar 2017

Developmental Trajectories Of Bottle-Feeding During Infancy And Their Association With Weight Gain, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Objective: To describe patterns of bottle-feeding across the first year postpartum and explore whether bottle-feeding trajectories are differentially associated with infant weight gain.

Method: Data came from 1291 mothers who participated in the Infant Feeding Practices Study 2. Mothers completed a prenatal questionnaire and monthly surveys of infant feeding and growth between birth and 12 months. Group-based trajectory mixture modeling was used to describe developmental trajectories of bottle-feeding intensities across the first year. Growth curve modeling was used to explore associations between bottle-feeding intensity trajectory group membership and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) trajectories from birth to 12 months.

Results: Four qualitatively …


Randomized Intervention Trial To Decrease Bisphenol A Urine Concentrations In Women: Pilot Study, Hagobian Todd Ph.D., Allison Smouse, Mikaela Streeter, Chole Wurst, Andrew Schaffner, Suzanne Phelan Feb 2017

Randomized Intervention Trial To Decrease Bisphenol A Urine Concentrations In Women: Pilot Study, Hagobian Todd Ph.D., Allison Smouse, Mikaela Streeter, Chole Wurst, Andrew Schaffner, Suzanne Phelan

Kinesiology and Public Health

In today's uncertain market and continuously evolving technology, managing manufacturing systems are more complex than ever. This paper studies the dynamics of managing variety and volume to enhance value creation in manufacturers implementing system level advanced and automated manufacturing technology (AAM1). The demand is composed of heterogeneous customers who make purchasing decisions depending on the variety levels and lead times of the firm's product offerings. The cost structure adopted calculates profit as the difference between customer value creation rate (VCR) and costs associated with the process of creating this value. Reported results contribute to the variety and volume management literature …


An Experimental Approach To Study Individual Differences In Infants' Intake And Satiation Behaviors During Bottle-Feeding, Alison K. Ventura, Julie A. Mennella Feb 2017

An Experimental Approach To Study Individual Differences In Infants' Intake And Satiation Behaviors During Bottle-Feeding, Alison K. Ventura, Julie A. Mennella

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: As a group, bottle-fed infants are at higher risk for rapid weight gain compared with breast-fed infants. However, little is known about individual differences in feeding behaviors of bottle-feeding infants, as well as maternal and infant characteristics associated with bottle-feeding outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a 2-day, within-subject study of 21 formula-feeding dyads; the within-subject factor was feeding condition: mother-led (ML; mothers were given the instruction to feed their infants as they typically would) vs. infant-led (IL; the experimenter ensured feeding began when infants signaled hunger and ended when they rejected the bottle on three consecutive occasions). Intake was determined …


Symposium Volume 3, Issue 1 Jan 2017

Symposium Volume 3, Issue 1

Symposium

Collection of research projects conducted by students of the College of Science and Math at California Polytechnic State University


Prosthetic Socket Cooling System, Benjamin K. Kraw, Kathy Ha, Derek Piastrelli, Cuong Lai Jun 2016

Prosthetic Socket Cooling System, Benjamin K. Kraw, Kathy Ha, Derek Piastrelli, Cuong Lai

Mechanical Engineering

A team of four senior-level undergraduate students in the Interdisciplinary Senior Project Design course in the Engineering Department of California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo have worked to develop a prosthetic socket cooling system, namely for veteran Taylor Morris and exclusively for a transfemoral prosthetic socket, under the Quality of Life+ Laboratory. This cooling system will utilize the thermoelectric effect known as the Peltier effect to transmit heat generated from the residual limb to the surrounding environment by means of forced convection over small aluminum heat sinks. Two measurement devices have also been developed to, one, measure the heat …


Physical Testing Of Potential Football Helmet Design Enhancements, Michael Jeremy Schuster Jun 2016

Physical Testing Of Potential Football Helmet Design Enhancements, Michael Jeremy Schuster

Master's Theses

Football is a much loved sport in the United States. Unfortunately, it is also hard on the players and puts them at very high risk of concussion. To combat this an inventor in Santa Barbara brought a new design to Cal Poly to be tested.

The design was tested in small scale first in order to make some preliminary conclusions about the design. In order to fully test the helmet design; however, full scale testing was required. In order to carry out this testing a drop tower was built based on National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, NOCSAE, …


What Are Mothers Doing While Bottle-Feeding Their Infants? Exploring The Prevalence Of Maternal Distraction During Bottle-Feeding Interactions, Rebecca Pollack Golen, Alison K. Ventura Dec 2015

What Are Mothers Doing While Bottle-Feeding Their Infants? Exploring The Prevalence Of Maternal Distraction During Bottle-Feeding Interactions, Rebecca Pollack Golen, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

The purpose of this study was to describe the extent to which mothers engage in distracting activities during infant feeding. Mothers reported engaging in other activities during 52% of feedings; television watching was the most prevalent activity reported. Further research on the impact of distraction on feeding outcomes is needed.


Extended Use Of Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaires In Physical Therapy To Improve Patient Recovery Time From Spinal Surgery, Kady L. Walker Oct 2015

Extended Use Of Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaires In Physical Therapy To Improve Patient Recovery Time From Spinal Surgery, Kady L. Walker

Symposium

Project Summary

This experiment aims to use multiple Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaires (FABQs) for post-surgical female spinal patients for a more comprehensive therapy experience. FABQs are given to quantify and assess the fears and avoidant behavior a patient may have due to their beliefs about movement that may cause pain. The avoidant behaviors could range from the patient unnecessarily limiting their daily activities to refusing the physical therapists recommendations for exercise during their session. It is standard practice in clinics to use a singular FABQ during the initial evaluation for physical therapy. High levels of fear have been known to …


The Influence Of Psychological Factors On Reducing Recovery Time From Total Knee Replacement Surgery, Melissa Geiger Oct 2015

The Influence Of Psychological Factors On Reducing Recovery Time From Total Knee Replacement Surgery, Melissa Geiger

Symposium

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of physical disability that Americans face, leading to destruction of the joints of the body. The primary joint affected is the knee, and the leading treatment is total knee replacement. The incidence of total knee replacement surgery is rising–and will continue to rise–as a treatment for knee pain resulting from osteoarthritis (Mizner et al., 2005). Various psychological factors have been proven to influence a person’s well-being in general and, more specifically, with recovery from illness or surgery (Taylor, 2011). Pre- surgical psychological screenings are an important factor in determining how the patient will recover …


Mindless Feeding: Is Maternal Distraction During Bottle-Feeding Associated With Overfeeding?, Rebecca B. Golen, Alison K. Ventura Aug 2015

Mindless Feeding: Is Maternal Distraction During Bottle-Feeding Associated With Overfeeding?, Rebecca B. Golen, Alison K. Ventura

Kinesiology and Public Health

Mindless eating, or eating while distracted by surrounding stimuli, leads to overeating. The present study explored whether “mindless feeding,” or maternal distraction during bottle-feeding, is associated with greater infant formula/milk intakes and lower maternal sensitivity to infant cues. Mothers and their ≤24-week-old bottle-feeding infants (N = 28) visited our laboratory for a video-recorded feeding observation. Infant intake was assessed by weighing bottles before and after the feedings. Maternal sensitivity to infant cues was objectively assessed by behavioral coding of video-records using the Nursing Child Assessment Feeding Scale. Maternal distraction was defined as looking away from the infant >75% of the …


Sports For Nathan, Delaney Bales, Joseph Garrett, Chris Harter Jun 2015

Sports For Nathan, Delaney Bales, Joseph Garrett, Chris Harter

Mechanical Engineering

Nathan Cooper is a local boy with spinal muscular atrophy. He enjoys playing games and being active. One assistive device that Nathan uses is his Standing Dani, a motorized mobile stander. Nathan enjoys playing golf and kickball, and prior to this project he had no way of playing golf and no safe way of playing kickball. The purpose of this project was to design and build a golf attachment for Nathan’s Standing Dani that allows him to putt, and a kickball attachment that allows him to play kickball safely. First, the design team researched and defined the problem in terms …


Barriers To Physical Activity And Healthy Eating In Children As Perceived By Low-Income Parents: A Case Study, David W. Hey, Kristina M. Kelly, Stephanie Teaford, Ann Yelmokas Mcdermott May 2015

Barriers To Physical Activity And Healthy Eating In Children As Perceived By Low-Income Parents: A Case Study, David W. Hey, Kristina M. Kelly, Stephanie Teaford, Ann Yelmokas Mcdermott

Kinesiology and Public Health

During the past three decades the prevalence of childhood obesity has steadily increased in the United States. Causes of childhood obesity are complex and include numerous individual and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to determine parent perceptions on the social-ecological barriers (community, school, and family) to physical activity and healthy eating, perceived specific to their children. Self-reported data gathered from a 50-item questionnaire and six focus groups were conducted with parents (n=43) enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Participants (16 to 67 years old) were predominately female (88.4%), Hispanic (67%), low income, and living …


Outdoor Adventure Therapy To Increase Physical Activity In Young Adult Cancer Survivors, Elizabeth C. Gill, Suzanne Phelan, Marni Goldenberg, Heather Starnes Mar 2015

Outdoor Adventure Therapy To Increase Physical Activity In Young Adult Cancer Survivors, Elizabeth C. Gill, Suzanne Phelan, Marni Goldenberg, Heather Starnes

Master's Theses

Physical activity (PA) has numerous benefits for cancer survivors, but limited research exists on PA interventions in young adult cancer survivors. Outdoor adventure therapy is a potential method of increasing PA in this demographic. The primary purpose of this non-randomized parallel group study was to determine whether the outdoor adventure camp experience (vs. wait list control) would increase participants’ PA levels immediately following the 7-day camp, as well as three months later. Secondary aims examined correlates of greater PA, including pre-post camp changes in sedentary behavior, exercise self-efficacy, environmental change self-efficacy, perceived barriers to exercise, physical activity enjoyment, and physical …


A Pilot Study Comparing Opaque, Weighted Bottles With Conventional, Clear Bottles For Infant Feeding, Alison K. Ventura, Rebecca Pollack Green Feb 2015

A Pilot Study Comparing Opaque, Weighted Bottles With Conventional, Clear Bottles For Infant Feeding, Alison K. Ventura, Rebecca Pollack Green

Kinesiology and Public Health

It is hypothesized that the visual and weight cues afforded by bottle-feeding may lead mothers to overfeed in response to the amount of liquid in the bottle. The aim of the present pilot study was to test this hypothesis by comparing mothers' sensitivity and responsiveness to infant cues and infants' intakes when mothers use opaque, weighted bottles (that remove visual and weight cues) compared to conventional, clear bottles to feed their infants. We also tested the hypothesis that mothers' pressuring feeding style would moderate the effect of bottle type. Formula-feeding dyads (N = 25) visited our laboratory on two …


Spatial Clustering Of Physical Activity And Obesity In Relation To Built Environment Factors Among Older Women In Three U.S. States, Kosuke Tamura, Robin C. Puett, Jaime E. Hart, Heather A. Starnes, Francine Laden, Philip J. Troped Dec 2014

Spatial Clustering Of Physical Activity And Obesity In Relation To Built Environment Factors Among Older Women In Three U.S. States, Kosuke Tamura, Robin C. Puett, Jaime E. Hart, Heather A. Starnes, Francine Laden, Philip J. Troped

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background

Identifying spatial clusters of chronic diseases has been conducted over the past several decades. More recently these approaches have been applied to physical activity and obesity. However, few studies have investigated built environment characteristics in relation to these spatial clusters. This study’s aims were to detect spatial clusters of physical activity and obesity, examine whether the geographic distribution of covariates affects clusters, and compare built environment characteristics inside and outside clusters.

Methods

In 2004, Nurses’ Health Study participants from California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania completed survey items on physical activity (N = 22,599) and weight-status (N = 19,448). The spatial …


Factorial Validity Of An Abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale For Seniors In The Nurses’ Health Study, Heather A. Starnes, Meghan H. Mcdonough, Kosuke Tamura, Peter James, Francine Laden, Philip J. Troped Oct 2014

Factorial Validity Of An Abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale For Seniors In The Nurses’ Health Study, Heather A. Starnes, Meghan H. Mcdonough, Kosuke Tamura, Peter James, Francine Laden, Philip J. Troped

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background

Using validated measures of individuals’ perceptions of their neighborhood built environment is important for accurately estimating effects on physical activity. However, no studies to date have examined the factorial validity of a measure of perceived neighborhood environment among older adults in the United States. The purpose of this measurement study was to test the factorial validity of a version of the Abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS-A) modified for seniors in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS).

Findings

A random sample of 2,920 female nurses (mean age = 73 ± 7 years) in the NHS cohort from California, Massachusetts, and …


Team Joseph: Adaptive Aquatic Device, Paul Sands, Lilly Hoff, Andrea Voigt Jun 2014

Team Joseph: Adaptive Aquatic Device, Paul Sands, Lilly Hoff, Andrea Voigt

Mechanical Engineering

The scope of this project included designing and fabricating an adaptive aquatic device for Joseph, a 20 year old student in the Special Education Program at San Luis Obispo High School with a subset of cerebral palsy known as spastic quadriplegia. The project was presented at the beginning of the Fall 2013 quarter to the mechanical engineering students at Cal Poly with the aspiration that a team of engineers would construct a device that would allow Joseph, his friends and family to compete in their first triathlon on July 27, 2014. The project was humbly accepted by mechanical engineering students …


Adaptive Basketball Shooter - Final Project Report, Jenna N. Becker, Richard A. Galanti, Justin D. Haley, Brett Y. Nayudu Jun 2014

Adaptive Basketball Shooter - Final Project Report, Jenna N. Becker, Richard A. Galanti, Justin D. Haley, Brett Y. Nayudu

Mechanical Engineering

The Friday Club is a joint venture between the Cal Poly Kinesiology Department and the San Luis Obispo Special Olympics that offers people with varying degrees of disability the opportunity to meet weekly and learn various sports and games. At Friday Club, athletes in wheelchairs with limited arm strength use devices built by Cal Poly mechanical engineering students in order to participate in various sports. Many devices are designed to attach to the Universal Play Frame (UPF), a wheel-chair attachment. The purpose of this project was to design and build a UPF device that will launch a basketball, so that …


Learning Design Through The Lens Of Service: A Qualitative Study, David W. Hey, Lynne A. Slivovsky, Brian P. Self, James Widmann, J. Kevin Taylor Apr 2014

Learning Design Through The Lens Of Service: A Qualitative Study, David W. Hey, Lynne A. Slivovsky, Brian P. Self, James Widmann, J. Kevin Taylor

Kinesiology and Public Health

Twenty-four senior-level capstone engineering design projects were completed at a large, public, primarily undergraduate university involving 85 students (70 male and 15 female). All projects involved the design of equipment to facilitate physical activity for people with disabilities. The effects on: i) learning design, ii) attitude towards people with disabilities, iii) motivation to complete team design projects and iv) interdisciplinary collaboration were analyzed through 24 one-hour focus groups. We explored the student experience using a constructivist approach and grounded theory. Four major themes (with associated sub-themes) emerged from our data analysis: learning design (project management, iterative design process, and user-centered …