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Full-Text Articles in Kinesiology

Systematically Increasing Contextual Interference Is Beneficial For Learning Novel Motor Skills, Jared Marak Porter Jan 2008

Systematically Increasing Contextual Interference Is Beneficial For Learning Novel Motor Skills, Jared Marak Porter

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Traditionally, contextual interference (CI) has been investigated by the use of extreme low and high levels of CI (blocked and random practice schedules); with results generally suggesting that higher rather than lower amounts of CI facilitated motor skill learning (Magill & Hall, 1990). To better understand the CI effect, two experiments were conducted investigating an alternative form of practice schedule. Practice using this alternative schedule provided novices experiences with systematic increases in CI, which were compared to traditional blocked and random scheduling. Experiment 1 tested the hypothesis that practicing variations of the same tasks with systematic increases in CI would …


A Comparison Of Fall-Related Psychological Measures In A Community-Based Setting, Delilah Susanne Moore Jan 2008

A Comparison Of Fall-Related Psychological Measures In A Community-Based Setting, Delilah Susanne Moore

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Falls and the fall-related psychological concerns associated with these events pose a serious public health problem among aging adults. Fall-related psychological instruments can be useful in quantifying important endpoints for fall prevention programs (Jorstad et al., 2005), yet no research currently exists to justify the use of these psychological instruments in a community-based falls risk screening. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine the psychometric properties of several fall-related psychological measures in a falls risk screening context by: (a) examining the reliability and validity of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), modified Survey of Activities …


The Influence Of Peripheral Neuropathy On Walking Kinematics And Physical Function, Bradley Manor Jan 2008

The Influence Of Peripheral Neuropathy On Walking Kinematics And Physical Function, Bradley Manor

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The 108th Congress (2005) has reported that 20 million U.S. citizens suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). Characterized by sensory nerve deterioration, PN reduces somatosensation (Padua et al., 2005) and increases the risk of fall-related injury (Richardson et al., 1992). The purpose of this dissertation was to provide insight into 1) the effects of acute loss of foot sole sensation on locomotor system health, 2) the effects of PN on locomotor system health, and 3) the underlying impairments associated with reduced physical function within the older adult and PN populations. Locomotor system health was assessed by the magnitude of stride-to-stride variability …


The Use Endocrine Markers To Predict And Monitor Performance In Strengh [Sic] And Power Activities, Jason B. Winchester Jan 2008

The Use Endocrine Markers To Predict And Monitor Performance In Strengh [Sic] And Power Activities, Jason B. Winchester

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Hormones are typically considered to be chemical messengers, which are designed to be released from specific cells where they are carried to their target tissues for binding to receptors. It is this binding of a hormone molecule to its specific receptor which allows for an action to occur (Hadley and Levine 2006). Testosterone is the predominant androgen in the majority of mammalian species and is largely responsible for regulation of reproduction and maintenance of sexual function. In addition, in adult mammals, T has multiple other roles including the growth of muscle and bone, hematopoesis, blood coagulation, development and regulation of …


The Effects Of Quercetin On Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis And Oxphos Regulation, Jeff Lee Soileau Jan 2008

The Effects Of Quercetin On Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis And Oxphos Regulation, Jeff Lee Soileau

LSU Master's Theses

A high fat diet causes a reduction in the expression of the genes of the electron transport chain, mitochondrial carrier proteins, and PGC-1α and PGC-1ß mRNA. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to numerous chronic diseases. The antioxidant quercetin has been shown to protect against damage caused by exogenous and endogenous free radicals. The purpose of this study was to determine if quercetin would protect the genes of mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α and PGC-1ß) and OXPHOS regulation (NDUFB5 and SDHB) from the downregulation caused by consumption of a high fat diet. The quadriceps muscle was removed from 21 male, C57BL/6J mice that …


Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Vasodilation: Effect Of Chemical Analytes, Diet, Exercise, And Genetic Markers, Joanie Brocato Wilson Jan 2008

Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Vasodilation: Effect Of Chemical Analytes, Diet, Exercise, And Genetic Markers, Joanie Brocato Wilson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this research was to gain a better understanding of interplay between molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, functionality with disease and interventions. The primary findings of the first study were that there was a significant inverse correlation between homocysteine and brachial artery flow mediated dilation (BAFMD) and baseline brachial artery diameter. Interestingly, there was a significant difference in BAFMD between methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype groups. Regression analysis indicated that the MTHFR genotype, homocysteine and age were significant predictors of BAFMD. The second study revealed that vascular reactivity as measured by BAFMD was modifiable. A meta-analysis of 22 intervention …


Exercise And Peripheral Vascular Function In Health And Disease, Arturo Arce Jan 2008

Exercise And Peripheral Vascular Function In Health And Disease, Arturo Arce

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

“Chronic disease will never reach its clinical horizon to compromise health if it is attacked at its origin” [1]. Knowledge that one’s risk for cardiovascular events is related to the severity of endothelial dysfunction, and evidence that exercise training can improve endothelial function, has prompted speculation that measures of vascular function may serve as a “barometer” for cardiovascular health. This dissertation consists of three experiments intended to study vascular function and the manner in which it may influence or may be influenced by physical function. Project one examined the influence of high and low volume circuit weight training on forearm …


Assessing Physical Function In Bilateral And Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients., Tiina Tuulia Garrison Jan 2007

Assessing Physical Function In Bilateral And Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients., Tiina Tuulia Garrison

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The general objective of this dissertation was to investigate physical function in osteoarthritis (OA) and total knee replacement (TKA) patients. First, a validation study was performed to evaluate the validity of the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP10) test in knee OA awaiting TKA. The CS-PFP10 scores were compared to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC), The Knee Society’s Clinical Rating System (KSS), and the Short Form 36-item health survey (SF-36) physical function scores. It was hypothesized that at least moderate associations between the CS-PFP10 test scores and the WOMAC, KSS, and SF-36 scores in TKA candidates …


Understanding Students' Motivation In Physical Education: Integration Of Expectancy-Value Model And Self-Efficacy Theory, Zan Gao Jan 2007

Understanding Students' Motivation In Physical Education: Integration Of Expectancy-Value Model And Self-Efficacy Theory, Zan Gao

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to integrate the expectancy-value model of achievement choice and self-efficacy theory among middle school students, with the goal of better understanding students’ motivational beliefs and the factors that influence these beliefs. Three quantitative studies were conducted to address this purpose. In study 1, the expectancy-value model constructs (expectancy-related beliefs and subjective task values) and self-efficacy theory constructs (self-efficacy and outcome expectancy) were measured in a sample of 225 students and were used to predict students’ in-class activity levels during a 2-week follow-up. Results of path analyses yielded that the hypothesized model fit the data …


Self-Control Of Learning Multiple Motor Skills, Wilbur Fong Wah Wu Jan 2007

Self-Control Of Learning Multiple Motor Skills, Wilbur Fong Wah Wu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Learning is commonly referred to as a “two-way street” between the learner and instructor. Until recently, learning has been studied using a “one-way” approach in which numerous studies have explored learning in situations where the experimenter or instructor shapes the practice environment. A number motor learning studies have shown the effectiveness of the learners’ abilities to control various aspects within their learning environment. Studies on augmented feedback (Chiviacowsky & Wulf, 2002; Janelle, Kim, & Singer, 1995), observational learning (Wulf, Raupach, & Pfeiffer, 2005), and physical assistance devices (Wulf & Toole, 1999) have found that learning is enhanced when individuals are …


Predictors Of Adl Disability In Culturally Diverse Older Adults, Fernanda Holton Jan 2007

Predictors Of Adl Disability In Culturally Diverse Older Adults, Fernanda Holton

LSU Master's Theses

Almost 42% of adults over 65 years of age live with at least one disability. Further, people of lower socioeconomic status and Blacks have greater risks for disability than Whites and individuals at higher socioeconomic status. The consequences of disability include loss of independence, decreased quality of life, increased chances of depression, consumption of health care services, and institutionalization. The purpose of this study was to utilize the disablement process framework to examine the contribution of physical function, dyspnea, and pain to disability in activities-of-daily-living (ADL) in culturally diverse older adults (i.e., diverse according to race, income, and education). Participants …


Psychological Correlates Of Exercise Behavior Among Adolescents, Kevin C. Paul Jan 2007

Psychological Correlates Of Exercise Behavior Among Adolescents, Kevin C. Paul

LSU Master's Theses

According to the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, 33% of youth in grades 9-12 participated in an insufficient amount of vigorous and moderate physical activity (PA), and 11% reported no vigorous and moderate PA. Although researchers have examined the psychological correlates of exercise behavior among youth, limited research investigating moderators of the theories of reasoned action (TRA; Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) and planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1985) in this population exists. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to examine socioeconomic status (SES) as a moderator of the psychological correlates of exercise intention and behavior using the TRA/TPB …


Vascular Function, Physical Performance And Aging, Devon Dobrosielski Jan 2007

Vascular Function, Physical Performance And Aging, Devon Dobrosielski

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This is a series of three experiments with brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) as the major outcome variable. The first study examined the temporal response of the brachial artery diameter following forearm occlusion in sixteen young (28±8 years) and fifteen older (85±8 years) men. Following release of the pressure cuff there is a significant reduction in brachial diameter compared to baseline, followed by a rapid increase to a PEAK. When comparing the magnitude of the decrease in diameter and the BAFMD between Young and Old, older subjects demonstrated a blunted response. A significant relation was noted between the magnitude of …


Assessing Ethnorelative Pedagogical Preparedness In Pete Programs, Joe W. Burden Jan 2007

Assessing Ethnorelative Pedagogical Preparedness In Pete Programs, Joe W. Burden

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Previously, multicultural education literature has highlighted the increase of ethnically diverse students' growth in American public K-12 schools (Articles & McClafferty, 1998; Ladson-Billings, 1994). On the other hand, the literature reveals that many teachers are failing to appropriately exhibit culturally relevant pedagogical competence to accommodate the growth of students of color in American schools (NCDTF, 2004). Oftentimes, this contributes to the development of pre-service teachers that lack culturally relevant pedagogical preparation to teach students of color in American K-12 schools (Burden, Hodge, O'Bryant & Harrison, 2004; Ambrosio, Seguin, & Hogan, 2001). Thus, this study sought out to better understand how …


Quantification Of Muscle Fatigue In Cerebal Palsy And Its Relationship To Impairments And Function, Noelle G. Moreau Jan 2007

Quantification Of Muscle Fatigue In Cerebal Palsy And Its Relationship To Impairments And Function, Noelle G. Moreau

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Three experiments were designed to explore the measurement of muscle fatigue in people with cerebral palsy (CP). The four aims were to 1) develop a feasible and reliable isokinetic protocol to assess muscle fatigue of the knee flexors and extensors in this population, 2) determine if muscle fatigue of the knee flexors and extensors in people with CP differs from subjects without a motor disorder, 3) determine whether muscle fatigue is related to functional measures of activity and participation, and 4) investigate possible contributing factors of muscle fatigue. Results show that muscle fatigue can be reliably assessed through an isokinetic …


The Influence Of Controllability On College Women's Efficacy And Attributions In Physical Activity, Julie Franks Gill Jan 2007

The Influence Of Controllability On College Women's Efficacy And Attributions In Physical Activity, Julie Franks Gill

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

There is evidence that individuals’ attributional patterns are important determinants of behavior. Controllability had been identified as an influential dimension of causal attributions. When individuals believe their actions have an effect, or control, on the outcome of an event, they are more likely to engage in a behavior. Contingency of feedback can be used to manipulate perceptions of controllability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of controllability on causal attributions, efficacy, and performance in an exercise setting, using a design that accounts for explanatory styles. It was hypothesized that non-contingent outcomes on an initial task would …


Maximize Muscle Mechanical Output During The Stretch-Shortening Cycle--The Contribution Of Preactivation And Stretch Load, Mianfang Ruan Jan 2007

Maximize Muscle Mechanical Output During The Stretch-Shortening Cycle--The Contribution Of Preactivation And Stretch Load, Mianfang Ruan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

It is well documented that the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), the most common muscle behavior, enhances muscle mechanical output. Stretch load and muscle preactivation level have been suggested as the two important factors regulating mechanical output. The purpose of this series studies is to systematically examine influences of the preactivation and the stretch load on muscle mechanical output during SSC. In the First study, a two dimensional lower extremity dynamic model was used to evaluate the influence of the approach on mechanical output. The peak summed power during the push-off phase demonstrated a quadratic trend across heights and appeared to be …


Self-Regulation In Physical Activity: Understanding Decisions That Older Adults Make, Janene Marie Grodesky Jan 2006

Self-Regulation In Physical Activity: Understanding Decisions That Older Adults Make, Janene Marie Grodesky

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Physical activity and exercise have been shown to strongly contribute to an extended quality of life. Half of all physical declines in aging can be prevented by engaging in adequate levels of daily physical activity. Only one in four older adults over the age of 65 participates in regular physical activity. There are various factors that have been identified in this population that influence physical activity behaviors including gender, ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic status. Though important for providing baseline data on older adults, these descriptions do not fully explain why or why not this population engages in physical activity; or …


Examination Of The Constructs Of The Transtheoretical Model In Patients With Heart Failure: A Focus On Physical Activity Readiness, Tracie Rena Parish Jan 2006

Examination Of The Constructs Of The Transtheoretical Model In Patients With Heart Failure: A Focus On Physical Activity Readiness, Tracie Rena Parish

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this research was to gain greater understanding about the management of heart failure patients. A particular focus was to evaluate exercise tolerance and behavior. The major findings of the first study included: (1) evidence that few heart failure patients receive adequate information regarding physical activity; (2) performance on a six-minute walk test were ~42% lower, and SF-36 scores were also lower in heart failure patients compared to controls; (3) stability in hemodynamic measures and distance walked on the 6-minute walk test were adequate, and (4) home exercise resulted in 19% improvement in maximum walking distance and 30% …


Self-Determination In Physical Education: Designing Class Environments To Promote Active Lifestyles, Charity Leigh Bryan Jan 2006

Self-Determination In Physical Education: Designing Class Environments To Promote Active Lifestyles, Charity Leigh Bryan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between self-determination, perceptions of the motivational climate, attitude, perceived ability, engagement in physical activity, and health-related fitness indicators. Two structural models related to engagement/intention to engage in physical activity and health-related fitness were tested. The premise of both models is that perceived competence predicts the outcome variables (engagement or health-related fitness), with self-determination, attitude, and motivational climate predicting perceived competence. Participants were 827 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Motivation, perceptions of the climate, attitude, perceived competence, and self-reported physical activity levels were assessed using surveys. Pedometers were used to record …


Understanding Parents' Decisions About Serving Vegetables To Their Children, Alissa Villarrubia Jan 2006

Understanding Parents' Decisions About Serving Vegetables To Their Children, Alissa Villarrubia

LSU Master's Theses

With the increasing rate of childhood obesity it is important to examine obesity prevention programs and strategies. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been identified as a successful framework to examine and understand human behavior and obesity prevention research. However, there is limited support for the TPB regarding its use and efficacy for understanding parents’ influence on the health behavior of their children. The purpose of this study was to: (a) describe the most common behavioral, normative, and control beliefs of parents’ serving vegetables to their children; (b) examine the social cognitive correlates of parents’ intentions to serve vegetables …


Validity Of The Yale Physical Activity Survey For Older Adults, Angela Nickole Solomito Pugh Jan 2006

Validity Of The Yale Physical Activity Survey For Older Adults, Angela Nickole Solomito Pugh

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the validity of the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) in a population of oldest-old adults residing in Southeastern Louisiana. Methods: Participants were older adults (n=273) in two distinct age groups; 60-81 years of age (YOUNG-OLD) AND 29-103 years of age (OLDEST-OLD). YPAS estimates of physical activity will be compared to physical function as measured by the continuous scale physical function performance test. Results: The OLDEST-OLD demonstrated lower physical function scores and reported less physical activity (and more time sitting) in comparison to the YOUNG-OLD. The correlation between Total Time Summary Index and …


Examination Of Blood Flow Using Vasoconstrictor And Vasodilator Stimuli: Stability And Reproducibility, Robert B. Lestage Jan 2006

Examination Of Blood Flow Using Vasoconstrictor And Vasodilator Stimuli: Stability And Reproducibility, Robert B. Lestage

LSU Master's Theses

Blood flow distribution relies on the vasculature’s ability to vasodilate and vasoconstrict throughout the body. Most previous research has focused on only one of these abilities, either vasodilation or vasoconstriction. For example, Thijssen et al. (2005) focused their research on vasodilation by studying reactive hyperemia, while Kinuyoshi et al. (2003) studied the possible vasoconstriction effect with increasing muscle sympathetic nerve activity. The purpose of this study was to assess vascular function using a variety of stimuli to potentially learn more about overall vascular health, while determining the stability and reliability of blood flow measurements using strain gauge plethysmography. Measures of …


Physical Activity Behavior Of University Students: An Ecological Approach, Lisa Gaye Johnson Jan 2006

Physical Activity Behavior Of University Students: An Ecological Approach, Lisa Gaye Johnson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Despite the health benefits associated with active lifestyles, a majority of adults do not engage in sufficient levels of physical activity (PA). Few individual-focused interventions have produced sustained changes in PA behavior. Therefore, public health officials are promoting the use of ecological approaches to examine the multidimensional factors that influence choices about PA and other health behaviors. National statistics are mirrored in college populations, with one-half of students in the US failing to meet current PA recommendations and one-third classified as either overweight or obese. In light of this, increasing PA and obesity prevention have been identified as the top …


College Student's Motivation For Physical Activity, Lori Lynn Delong Jan 2006

College Student's Motivation For Physical Activity, Lori Lynn Delong

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine college students' motivations to be physically active by merging the perspectives of self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model. The secondary purpose was to examine the effects of a required physical activity course on college students' levels of physical activity. The premise is that both the theory and model can be used to help predict physical activity outcomes. Participants were 277 male and female students at a small private college. Motivation, self-determination, stage of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, and leisure time activity levels were assessed using an online survey. Results revealed that activity …


Self-Determination In Injury Rehabilitation: Designing A Climate For Promoting Adherence, Ryan Mark Green Jan 2006

Self-Determination In Injury Rehabilitation: Designing A Climate For Promoting Adherence, Ryan Mark Green

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to use self-determination as a theoretical framework to investigate factors that influence college athletes’ adherence to injury rehabilitation programs. A two-part study, quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to gain insight into athletes’ motivation and decisions that they make regarding their engagement in injury rehabilitation. The focus of the quantitative study was to investigate the relationships between personal autonomy, levels of self-determination, perceived autonomy support, and perceived competence in injury rehabilitation. Participants (N=193 college athletes) completed surveys in a retrospective design. Autonomy orientations were positively related to higher levels of self-determination and the perception …


Interrelationships Between Mitochondrial Function, Maximal Oxygen Consumption, Running Economy, And Diet In Elite Male And Female Runners, Ryan Peyton Mcmillan Jan 2006

Interrelationships Between Mitochondrial Function, Maximal Oxygen Consumption, Running Economy, And Diet In Elite Male And Female Runners, Ryan Peyton Mcmillan

LSU Master's Theses

The relationships between maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), mitochondrial function and running economy were investigated in a population of twenty-one endurance trained males and females (range=18-54 yrs). The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine whether mitochondrial oxidative capacity, as defined by the maximal activities of citrate synthase (CS), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (BHAD), is a significant determinant of maximal oxygen consumption in endurance trained men and women, and 2) to observe the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and running economy in the same population. Muscle biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis prior to a …


Biomechanical Characteristics Of Low Back Tissues During Trunk Flexion-Extension, Michael William Olson Jan 2006

Biomechanical Characteristics Of Low Back Tissues During Trunk Flexion-Extension, Michael William Olson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Analysis of the mechanical and neural regulatory mechanisms of the flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP), observed in deep trunk flexion, was performed since it is believed these mechanisms provide insight into the causes of low back injury and pain. Three methods were used to analyze the behavior of the lumbar tissues during trunk flexion-extension exercises: 1) active continuous cyclic movement, 2) acute cyclic movement at different orientations, and 3) passive continuous cyclic movement. All activities were performed at a rate of 0.1 Hz (6 cycles•min-1) while monitoring the surface electromyography (EMG) of the lumbar paraspinal muscles. Abdominal, hamstring, and quadriceps muscle activities …


Effects Of Type Of Instruction On Ground Reaction Forces In Jump Landing, Janet Leu May 2005

Effects Of Type Of Instruction On Ground Reaction Forces In Jump Landing, Janet Leu

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.


The Role Of Teachers' Self-Efficacy In Increasing Children's Physical Activity, James Frederick Roth Jan 2005

The Role Of Teachers' Self-Efficacy In Increasing Children's Physical Activity, James Frederick Roth

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

It is well documented that elementary school children do not participate in recommended amounts of physical activity, and that elementary physical education programs generally are unable to insure that children engage in appropriate amounts of activity. One solution to this dilemma is to increase children’s activity levels through collaborative efforts such as whole school programs involving the classroom teachers. If this approach is to be successful, it is important to investigate ways that elementary classroom teachers can be actively involved in school level programs that will ultimately increase children’s physical activity levels. Elementary classroom teachers are often responsible for at …