Kinesiology Commons^™

Effect Of Hydration Status On Post-Synaptic Cutaneous Vasodilatory And Sudomotor Responses, Ashley Six

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

"Purpose: Previous research shows dehydration decreases sweating and skin blood flow during heat stress but it is unknown whether these decrements are from pre-synaptic (i.e. central nervous system) or post-synaptic (i.e. sweat gland/blood vessel) alterations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dehydration affects post-synaptic sweating and skin blood flow responses. We hypothesized that dehydration will negatively affect post-synaptic sweating and both endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation. Methods: 12 males (age= 25 ± 3 y, height = 178.4 ± 5.1 cm, body mass = 75.9 ± 10.9 kg) participated. 24 h before each trial, subjects were passively heated for …

Hydration Biomarkers: Creating A User-Friendly Hydration Assessment Technique, Jenna Burchfield

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Despite the necessity of euhydration, an optimal, user-friendly, accurate hydration assessment technique fails to exist for the general population. The primary reason for this study is to validate a new hydration assessment technique, which utilizes no equipment or technical expertise to administer. We hypothesize that the number of urine voids over 24-hrs will correlate to hydration status. We used an observational research design in the field, recruiting fifty healthy individuals (n=24 females) 18-39 years old from the Northwest Arkansas area. Age 22±4 years, body mass 75.01±17 kg, height 168.6±22.6 cm, body fat 20.4±9 %. Individuals abstained from caffeine and alcohol …

The Relationship Between Muscular Strength And Cognition In Older Adults, Ashton R. Pohlman

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Little is known about the correlation between resistance training, muscular strength, and cognition. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between muscular strength and cognition in older adults. Data were collected for this cross sectional study at Butterfield Trail Village, a retirement community in Northwest Arkansas. Thirty participants, at least 65 years of age, without severe mental impairment were evaluated. Of the 30 participants, 23 females were included in the data analysis. The Stroop Color Test, Trail Making Test, and Dual Task Walking Test difference were used to measure executive cognition. Handgrip dynamometry was used as a measure of strength …

Validation Of The Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer As A Method To Assess Muscular Power, Emily Janssen

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Power is a strong indicator of physical fitness and functional status of older adults. The Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer is a safe, cost-effective method to measure power. The goal was to validate the Tendo as a measure of muscular power during a chair stand task. It was hypothesized that the Tendo would be a valid measure. This study was a cross-sectional, correlational study with the subjects serving as their own control. All testing took place in the Human Performance Lab at the University of Arkansas. A total of 59 college-aged students from 18 to 30 years of age volunteered. Subjects were …

The Effect Of Physical Activity Levels On Hydration Markers In Non-Athletic Free-Living Individuals, Mikell Lucas Hammer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Higher levels of physical activity requires increased fluid intake due to increased water losses via sweating. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of physical activity on hydration status and water intake. METHODS: This study involved 8 visits to the Human Performance Laboratory over 22 days. Body weight and urine measurements were taken every visit. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), water intake by the Water Frequency Questionnaire (WFQ), and hydration status by urine osmolality (UOsm), urine specific gravity (USG), and urine color (UC). From the IPAQ subjects were classified as low, moderate and high physical activity …

Impacts Of Micrornas On Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis And Mitochondrial Quality, David Lee

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

microRNA (miRNA) post-transcriptional modification is becoming a well-established mechanism for controlling mRNA translation. microRNAs -1, -133, and -206 are under the control of skeletal muscle promoters and affect muscle plasticity and metabolic health. A detailed review on the generation and processing of miRNAs with a view to skeletal muscle brings up intriguing connections in the transcriptional connections between multiple miRNAs. Additionally, exciting new research has defined a role of miRNAs in skeletal muscle mitochondria showing an additional, direct link to metabolic function. Multiple investigations in models of exercise, aging, hypertrophy, and injury have shown how these interventions can affect miRNA …

Perceptual Differences In Children Learning To Play Golf With Traditional Or Modified (Scaled) Equipment, Lindsey Dawn Sams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine perception differences of competence and enjoyment between learners using modified and traditional equipment, and the potential effects these factors could have on intent for future participation. The participants in this study were 123 children (65 girls, 58 boys) aged 7 to 17 years. Through a convenience sampling method, data was obtained through surveys measuring golf participation and self-perceptions concerning perceived competence, enjoyment and intention to continue participation. To avoid an age confound, the dataset was limited to 2nd through 5th grade children (24 traditional/ 75 modified) for secondary analyses (MANOVA and …

The Effect Of Balance-Based Torso-Weighting On Mobility, Gait, Balance, Postural Control, And Falls Efficacy In Mobility Limited Older Adults, Jennifer L. Vincenzo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is a known intervention to prevent fall risk among older adults; however, adherence is poor. Therefore, it is of interest to determine if other interventions improve function and decrease fall risk among older adults. Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW) is a non-exercise intervention that improves functional measures among adults with multiple sclerosis, yet the effectiveness of BBTW has not been assessed among older adults without progressive neurological disorders. We conducted a double-blind, randomized study to analyze the effect of BBTW on functional measures and falls efficacy among community-dwelling, mobility limited older adults after 5 days of wearing BalanceWear® for 4 hours …

The Status Of Small Group Training As Perceived By Program Administrators, Jade Alexis Dworkin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study was obtain program components and administrative perceptions of collegiate recreation small group training programs. Through an extensive review of literature and valued input from key campus recreation professionals, a preliminary survey with 30 items was created. The preliminary survey, Administrative Effectiveness of Small Group Training Programs Survey (AESGTPS), was administered electronically to collegiate recreation small group training program directors. Research questions investigated were identifying ways in which various program components may vary from institution to institution, identifying program components that were perceived to be contributing to perceived program effectiveness, and defining ways in which program administrators perceived …

Physiological Effects Of A Kettlebell Workout Versus A High-Resistance Circuit Workout, Brett Schreiber

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To compare the physiological effects of a single kettlebell workout to a high-resistance circuit workout in resistance-trained males. Methods: 12 resistance trained healthy males (age: 24 ± 2.97 years; height: 1.75 ± 0.064 m; body mass: 75.99 ± 8.46 kg) participated in this study. Participants had a familiarization visit and two subsequent experimental visits (kettlebell workout; circuit workout). The kettlebell workout consisted of 12-minutes of standardized kettlebell swings. The circuit workout consisted of three sets of 6 repetitions of smith machine squats, bench press, leg curl, and lat pulldown. Heart rate, rectal temperature, skin temperature, blood lactate, rating of …

Balance And Power In Older Adults With And Without A History Of Falls, Stephanie Michelle Gray

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe the differences between power and balance in older adults over the age of 65 with and without falls. A total of 62 community dwelling older adults between the ages of 65 and 92 participated in the study. Two groups consisted of 25 fallers and 37 non-fallers. No statistical differences were found between groups on age, height, weight, or BMI. Testing included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to test balance, the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer (TWA) during a sit-to-stand to test lower body power, and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) to …

Academic Clustering Of Student-Athletes: A Case Study Of Football And Basketball Programs, Matthew Brett Rowland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the topic of academic clustering within the football and men's and women's basketball teams at the University of Arkansas. Given the prominence of collegiate sport in America, this paper examines a relatively understudied topic regarding student-athletes and education. Using a mixed methods approach, the topic of academic clustering is analyzed statistically, as well as through in-depth interviews with student-athletes and academic advisors in the athletic department. Statistical analysis shows significant over- and under-representation of student-athletes in certain University colleges (e.g., Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Walton College of Business, and College of Engineering), the presence of …

Effects Of Breathing Cool Air During Cycling Exercise In The Heat, Christian B. Ridings

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to establish the ability of the Core Cooler device to prevent rises in physiological heat strain of trained male cyclists during cycling exercise in the heat. METHODS: 15 healthy male cyclists cycled at 50-70% VO2max for 75 minutes in a heat chamber of 31°C & 55% RH while breathing through the Core Cooler device under three different conditions: 1:4 ratio without ice termed control (CN), 1:4 ratio with ice termed low intermittent (LI), and at 1:1 ratio with ice termed high intermittent (HI). Data collected every 15 minutes assessing intestinal temperature (TGI), heart …

The Relationship Between Muscular Power And Functional Fitness Among Older Adults, Corinne A. Parkins

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of the study was to determine whether functional fitness is a good predictor of average and peak muscular power among adults over the age of 65. The 30-second chair stand and 8-foot-up-and-go test were used to define functional fitness and were administered to 57 older adults. Muscular power output was measured using the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer during 5 chair stands. Relative average and peak power were used in the analyses. An independent t-test was run on all variables to distinguish differences between men and women, and multiple regression analyses were performed to detect the relationship between the two …

Comparison Of Sweat Rates And Sweat Electrolyte Concentrations In Collegiate Male And Female Athletes With And Without A History Of Cramping, Brittany Cherie Willard

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the two main theories of muscle cramping by comparing sweat rate and sweat-electrolyte concentrations of athletes with a reported history of exercise associated muscle cramping (EAMC) to those with minimal cramping history to provide a potential link between sodium deficiency/sweat rate and EAMCs. The methodological consistency of analyses between two separate processes was also evaluated.

How Functional Fitness Relates To Muscular Power Among Older Adults, Jessica Mae Moix

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The current study examined the relationship between functional fitness measures and muscular power among older adults. A 30-second chair stand test, 10-meter habitual walking test, and an 8-foot up-and-go test were all used as measures of functional fitness and muscular power was measured by Tendo analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine what aspects of functional fitness were associated with muscular power while then provide evidence that functional fitness can predict muscular power among older adults. Fifty-seven participants over 65 years old completed both the functional fitness and muscular power measures. Three separate correlations between functional fitness measures …

Effects Of An In-Season Resistance Training Program On Lower Extremity Power Output In Collegiate Basketball Players, Kevin Lee King

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in muscle power performance in a horizontal (forward movement), vertical, and lateral directions in collegiate basketball players due to the presence of an in-season resistance training program (ISRTP). Four basketball teams were recruited for this study. Two women's basketball teams and two men's basketball teams participated with one team in each gender participating in an ISRTP and one team not participating in an ISRTP. Fifty-three collegiate basketball players (Females= 29, Males= 24) were successfully recruited for this project. Subjects were assessed for lower extremity muscle power and muscle strength at pre-season, …

The Effects Of Apoe Knock Out On Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: A Look Into Markers Of Protein Synthesis And Satellite Cell Function, Joshua Eden Ragland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ApoE helps regulate serum cholesterol levels by adding in transport of cholesterol into the cells, as well as, to the liver. ApoE knockout mice (ApoE KO) present a model that demonstrates the effects of hypercholesterolemia. Damage to muscle stimulates a complex regenerative response. The effects of high cholesterol on this regenerative response are not known. PURPOSE: To determine if skeletal muscle regeneration is altered in apoE KO mice by measuring protein synthesis regulator IGF-1, Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K, cell cycle regulator cyclin D1, and myogenic regulatory factors myoD and myogenin. METHODS: Female C57/BL6 (WT) and apoE KO were assigned to …

Post-Exercise And Post-Recovery Blood Lactate In Peripheral Arterial Disease, Rebecca Kate Roderick

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe how the presence of peripheral arterial disease affects the level of post-exercise blood lactate and post-recovery blood lactate during and following the six-minute walk test (6MWT). The 6MWT was administered to 49 participants (33 classified as Non-PAD and 16 classified as PAD) over the age of 50 with no uncontrolled cardiovascular or metabolic diseases or a cardiovascular event in the previous 6 months. Results demonstrated that no significant statistical difference exists between the presence of PAD and resting blood lactate (F = 0.86, p = .36), post-exercise blood lactate (F= 0.48, p …

Evaluation Of Shake Weight Protocol In Senior Populations, Isaac F. Cook

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Shake Weight® (SW®) is designed to improve muscular fitness in a quick and inexpensive way. This study aimed to determine if the SW® was an effective tool at improving muscular fitness, body composition, and bone mineral density (BMD) in post-menopausal women. Participants were 17 healthy, post-menopausal women from aMidwestern University and divided into two training (SW® and HIT) interventions that lasted 10 weeks. HIT participants performed three sets of 8 repetitions at 80% of their estimated 1RM for the chest press, leg press, lat pulldown, and seated row. SW® participants performed the exercises prescribed by the SW® manufacturer. Changes …

Effects Of High-Velocity Versus Low-Velocity Resistance Training On Resting Metabolic Rate And Functional Performance In Older Adults, Laura Ashleigh Morgan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 12-week high-velocity resistance training (HVRT) protocol to a traditional low-velocity resistance training (LVRT) protocol on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and other selected measures of muscular and functional fitness in older adults. Nineteen adults between the ages of 65 and 82 participated: 8 HVRT, 7 LVRT, and 4 controls (CTRL). Initially, no differences existed between groups except for age (p = .016). HVRT (75.6 years) was older than LVRT (69.6 years) and CTRL (69.3 years). The exercise intervention consisted of 2 days/week sessions for 12 weeks at 3 sets …

The Relationship Among Ankle Function, Functional Capacity, And Body Composition To Balance In Geriatric Populations, Joseph Robert Chaney

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this research study was to identify significant relationships among measures of ankle strength, ankle range of motion, body composition, and functional capacity to balance ability in geriatric populations which may potentially assist in identifying older individuals with increased risk of falling. A battery of five test (ankle strength assessments, ankle range of motion , DXA, functional fitness, and balance) were administered to 20 participants (6 males, 14 females, mean age 69.78 ± 3.98) that had indicated to be at least 65 years of age or older and no history of falls within the previous 12 months. …

Effects Of Fatigue On Pelvic And Scapular Stabilizers In Overhead Throwing, Julie Sherrill

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Human movement is based on proximal to distal sequencing of the kinetic chain. Efficiency of the shoulder is dependent upon the stability and function of the pelvis and scapula. PURPOSE: To determine if pelvic and scapular muscle activations are altered in overhead throwing following fatigue. METHODS: Eleven [19.2 ± 1.0 years; 168.9 ± 6.6 cm; 68.9 + 8.7 kg] softball players volunteered. Surface electromyographic [sEMG] electrodes were placed on bilateral gluteus medius, throwing arm latissimus dorsi, lower trapezius [LT], middle trapezius [MT], and serratus anterior [SA]. Participants had to catch a simulated hit ball and perform their positional throw. Infielders …

An Analysis Of Firearms Training Performance Among Active Law Enforcement Officers, John Thomasson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Firearms proficiency is an implicit expectation, held by the public of police officers, due to presumption that the required firearm training is an adequate preparation for a deadly force encounter. However, anecdotal evidence and available data on police shootings suggest that conventional, unrealistic training methods are wholly inadequate. To present stress into firearms training, some departments have opted for exercises such as physical exertion and shoot-house training as a substitute for realistic simulation of force-on-force confrontations.

To determine whether such exercises are comparable, an observation of performance and heart rate levels was conducted on a group of eight police officers, …

Acute Effects Of Exercise On Cognitive Performances Of Older Adults, R. Pennington, S. Hanna

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Accelerating rates of structural decline become evident during the third and fourth decades of human life, with disproportionate degeneration occurring in the frontal, parietal, and temporal brain lobes. As the structure of the brain declines, a broad array of cognitive processes involving memory, decision making, and selective attention are reduced as well (Raz 2000, Park et al. 2001). Cardiovascular exercise has been associated with improved cognitive functioning in aging humans, suggesting that increased vascular supply enhances availability of oxygen, nutrients, and other physical entities to nourish the brain. Previous experimentation on older adults revealed significant positive effects of exercise on …

Effects Of Obesity On Thermoregulation And Cardiovascular Function During Exercise In Females, Jon David Adams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that obese individuals are at greater risk for heat illnesses because of impaired thermoregulation. However, laboratory studies investigating cardiovascular and thermoregulatory function in obese individuals are difficult to interpret because of low sample sizes and methodological concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in thermoregulatory and cardiovascular function between obese and non-obese females. Twenty-four females, 13 obese (43.3 ± 4 .3 % fat, 77.2 ± 13.7 kg) and 11 non-obese (27.8 ± 6.0 % fat, 55.7±6.7 kg), cycled for 60 min in a warm environment (~40°C, 30% humidity) at a …

Effect Of Body Size And Exercise On Mood State, Alexandra Lachance

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Exercising in the presence of nature (i.e., "green exercise"), has been shown to heighten the physiological and mental benefits of traditional exercise on non-obese individuals. The effects of green exercise on obese individuals are unknown. It is hypothesized that green exercise is more beneficial for obese (greater positive improvements in mental health scores), compared to non-obese individuals. For example, the benefits of green exercise could help lower feelings of depression, improve mood and self-esteem to increase the propensity of obese individuals to meet exercise recommendations. Accordingly, this study investigated the physiological and psychological effects of green exercise on 12 obese …

Effects Of Landing Strategy Intervention On Muscle Activation During Drop Landings, Corrie Bailey

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the kinematic, kinetics, and timing of muscle activation of the hamstring and gluteal muscle groups during drop jump landings after five minutes of visual and verbal landing strategy intervention. Thirty-six university students (23.47+/- 2.77 years; 171.99 =?- 8.01 cm; 71.72 =/- 13.56 kg) volunteered to participate. A 5-minute verbal and visual feedback intervention was implemented after participants performed five drop jumps. After the 5-minute intervention, five more drop jumps were performed. The results revealed significant differences in hip and knee flexion, knee valgus, and ground reaction forces pre and post intervention [p<0.05]. In addition, muscle-firing patterns revealed the hamstrings and gluteal muscle groups achieving 20% MVIC prior to the quadriceps muscle group post intervention. The current findings revealed that a 5-minute verbal and visual intervention can elicit greater hip and knee flexion, decrease ground reaction force, and increase the activation of the hamstrings while decreasing the activation of the quadriceps, thereby lessening the likelihood of an ACL injury.

Interactions Between The Thermic Effect Of Food And Exercise On Total Energy Expenditure In Moderately Active Females, Ashley Binns

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diet and exercise are key components to overall health maintenance. Aspects contributing to weight maintenance include the thermic effect of food (TEF) and total energy expenditure (TEE), with TEF contributing to upwards of 10% TEE. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between TEF and exercise on TEE in moderately active females. METHODS: A sample population was established with the use of a health history questionnaire (HHQ). Ten active females of normal body composition, determined by body mass index (BMI) and a dual energy absorptiometry x-ray (DEXA) scan, participated in the study. Maximal aerobic …

The Use Of Cortisol And Hba1c As Biomarkers Of Stress In University Administrators, Jacilyn Marie Olson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of perceived stress and cardiorespiratory fitness on cortisol and HbA1c, biomarkers of stress, in a group of select university administrators. The impact of gender on these relationships was of special concern. METHODS: University administrators with job titles of Chancellor, Provost, Vice Chancellors and Vice Provosts of the university, and Deans and Associate Deans at the college level were recruited. Twenty-five administrators (15 males and 10 females) agreed to participate and completed a battery of assessments that included completion of the University Administrative Concerns Questionnaire, a finger-stick blood test for …