Kinesiology Commons^™

Variables Associated With The Likelihood Of Adopting A Policy Of Hiring Nonsmokers Only Among Nonprofit Organizations In Omaha, Nebraska, Jillian M. Golden

Student Work

Tobacco use in the U.S. is the cause of approximately 440,000 deaths annually and is the leading preventable cause of death. Smoking can result in death due to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Smoking can also result in death due to cancers such as lung cancer, respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis, and other deaths including diseases among infants and bum deaths (American Cancer Society, 2003). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that due to smoking, the cost of medical care and lost productivity added up to approximately $157 billion each year …

Subtalar And Knee Joint Interaction During Running At Various Stride Lengths, Nikolaos Stergiou, Barry T. Bates, Max J. Kurz

Journal Articles

Background: It has been suggested that during running proper coordination between subtalar pronation/supination and knee flexion/extension via tibial rotation is important to attenuate ground reaction impact forces (GRIF). Lack of coordination over time may produce a wide range of injuries. It was hypothesized that increasing stride length would result in higher GRIF. It was also hypothesized that alterations in stride length would result in changes of the subtalar/knee coordination.

Methods: Six subjects ran under three different stride lengths (normal stride, understride and overstride) at their self-selected pace. Sagittal, rear view kinematic data and GRIF kinetic data were collected. The subtalar/knee …

The Aging Human Neuromuscular System Expresses Less Certainty For Selecting Joint Kinematics During Gait, Max J. Kurz, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

This investigation quantitatively characterized the certainty of the aging neuromuscular system in selecting a joint range of motion during gait based on the statistical concept of entropy. Elderly and young control groups walked on a treadmill at a self-selected pace. Joint angles were calculated for the ankle, knee and hip. We hypothesized that the aging group would exhibit less certainty in selecting a joint range of motion during gait. Our results supported this hypothesis, and indicated that aged individuals demonstrated statistically less certainty for the knee (16.8%) and hip (24.6%). We suggest that neurophysiological changes associated with aging may result …

Compensatory Mechanisms In Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency, Anastasios Papadonikolakis, Lance Cooper, Nikolaos Stergiou, Anastasios D. Georgoulis, Panayotis N. Coucacos

Journal Articles

The literature cites numerous studies involving the analysis of movement patterns in anterior cruciate ligament deficient (ACLD) patients. Although several in vivo biomechanical studies have shown that ACLD patients develop protective mechanisms against degenerative diseases, it seems that these adaptations fail to protect the knee from future pathology. Some authors state that ACLD patients adapt to the injury by avoiding quadriceps contraction during gait when the knee is near full extension. However, others have found increased hamstrings and decreased gastrocnemius activity, which normally contribute to the stability of the knee. It seems that further in vivo biomechanical investigation is required …

Nonlinear Dynamics Indicates Aging Affects Variability During Gait, Ugo H. Buzzi, Nikolaos Stergiou, Max J. Kurz, Patricia A. Hageman, Jack Heidel

Journal Articles

Objective. To investigate the nature of variability present in time series generated from gait parameters of two different age groups via a nonlinear analysis.

Design. Measures of nonlinear dynamics were used to compare kinematic parameters between elderly and young females.

Background. Aging may lead to changes in motor variability during walking, which may explain the large incidence of falls in the elderly.

Methods. Twenty females, 10 younger (20–37 yr) and 10 older (71–79 yr) walked on a treadmill for 30 consecutive gait cycles. Time series from selected kinematic parameters of the right lower extremity were analyzed using nonlinear dynamics. The …

Nonlinear Analysis Of The Development Of Sitting Postural Control, Regina T. Harbourne, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

The development of sitting postural control in five normal infants was examined longitudinally at three stages of sitting: Stage 1, when infants could hold up their head and upper trunk, but could not sit independently; Stage 2, when infants began to sit independently briefly; and Stage 3, when infants could sit independently. Methods from nonlinear dynamics were used to analyze center of pressure (COP) data during sitting in terms of stability of the neuromuscular system (Lyapunov Exponent), movement dimensionality (Correlation Dimension), and complexity/regularity (Approximate Entropy). Results indicated significant changes in the nonlinear measures over time, with increased stability and increased …

Retrieving Movement Memory With And Without The Use Of Musical Cues, Lora S. Maher

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between learning and retrieving movement with and without musical cues. Twenty-three students all of whom had not had any formal dance training participated in this study. The subjects were required to make two visits for data collection purposes. Testing included performance of the "Mayim" folk dance on day one and then again on day two. Subjects in groups one and two learned the dance with music and subjects in groups two and three learned the dance to the beat of the metronome. On their second visit, groups one and three …

The Spanning Set Indicates That Variability During The Stance Period Of Running Is Affected By Footwear, Max J. Kurz, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

Sensory information the foot receives appears to be related to kinematic variability. Since footwear material densities affect sensory information, footwear may be an important factor that dictates variability. This study hypothesized that modifications in footwear would result in changes in kinematic variability during the running stance period. Subjects ran on a treadmill for three conditions: hard shoe, soft shoe and barefoot. The spanning sets of the mean ensemble curves of the knee and ankle changes for each condition were used to define variability. Variability was significantly larger in the barefoot condition in comparison with the two footwear conditions for both …

Three-Dimensional Tibiofemoral Kinematics Of The Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient And Reconstructed Knee During Walking, Anastasios D. Georgoulis, Anastasios Papadonikolakis, Christos D. Papageorgiou, Argyris Mitsou, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

Background: It is possible that gait abnormalities may play a role in the pathogenesis of meniscal or chondral injury as well as osteoarthritis of the knee in patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Hypothesis: The three-dimensional kinematics of anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees are changed even during low-stress activities, such as walking, but can be restored by reconstruction.

Study Design: Case control study.

Methods: Using a three-dimensional optoelectronic gait analysis system, we examined 13 patients with anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees, 21 patients with anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knees, and 10 control subjects with uninjured knees during walking.

Results: Normal patterns of knee …

Hper Biomechanics Laboratory 2002 Annual Report, Issue 1, Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility

Biomechanics Annual Report

This issue features Development of a gait-o-gram for the assessment of gait, Promising insights on the development of posture in children, A new understanding of Parkinson’s Disease, Assessing the stability of elderly gait, Gait analysis provides the Omaha community with relief from running injuries, Custom Palm pilot software offers scientists and teachers new technology, Helping high school students appreciate science and math, Past students achieve success, Collaborative work with the Orthopedic Center of Sports Medicine at Ioannina-Greece, and 2002 Publications and Presentations

Spanning Set Defines Variability In Locomotive Patterns, Max J. Kurz, Nikolaos Stergiou, Daniel Blanke

Journal Articles

The purpose of the investigation was to use the spanning set methodology to quantify variability in locomotive patterns and to compare this method with traditional measures of variability. Subjects ran on a treadmill while sagittal plane kinematic data were collected with a high-speed (180 Hz) camera. Changes in variability were evaluated as the subject ran barefoot and in shoes. Mean ensemble curves for the knee angle during the stance period were created for each condition. From these curves, traditional measures of variability were calculated using the coefficients of variation (CVs), and the mean deviation (MD). Spanning set vectors were defined …

Frequency Domain Characteristics Of Ground Reaction Forces During Walking Of Young And Elderly Females, Nikolaos Stergiou, Giannis Giakas, Jennifer E. Byrne, Valerie Pomeroy

Journal Articles

Objective. To examine the frequency domain characteristics of the ground reaction forces of young and elderly females during free walking.

Design. Independent t-tests were used to examine the frequency content of all three components of the ground reaction force.

Background. Frequency domain analysis has the potential to assist in identifying changes in gait that may be masked in the time domain. No research has been done to identify changes in gait due to age-related impairments in the frequency domain.

Methods. Ten young and ten elderly females walked at a prescribed speed while ground reaction forces were collected via a …

Effect Of Normalization And Phase Angle Calculations On Continuous Relative Phase, Max J. Kurza, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if phase plot normalization and phase angle definitions would have an affect on continuous relative phase calculations. A subject ran on a treadmill while sagittal plane kinematic data were collected with a high­ speed (180Hz) camera. Segmental angular displacements and velocities were used to create phase plots, and examine the coordination between the leg and thigh. Continuous relative phase was calculated with a combination of two different amplitude normalization techniques, and two different phase angle definitions. Differences between the techniques were noted with a root mean square (RMS) calculation. RMS values indicated …

Comparison Of Gait Patterns Between Young And Elderly Women: An Examination Of Coordination, Jennifer E. Byrne, Nikolaos Stergiou, Daniel Blanke, Jeremy J. Houser, Max J. Kurz, Patricia A. Hageman

Journal Articles

This study investigated intralimb coordination during walking in Young and Elderly women using the theoretical model of dynamical systems. Twenty females, ten Young (M age = 24.6 yrs, SD = 3.2 yrs), and ten Elderly (M age = 73.7 yrs, SD = 4.9 yrs), were videotaped during free speed gait and gait perturbed by an ankle weight. Two parameters, one describing the phasing relationship between segments (mean absolute relative phase) and the other the variability of this relationship (deviation in phase), were calculated from the kinematics. Two-way ANOVA (age and weight) with repeated measures on weight indicated that during the …

Foot Strike Patterns After Obstacle Clearance During Running, Shane D. Scholten, Nicholas Stergiou, Alan Hreljac, Jeremy J. Houser, Daniel Blanke, L. Russell Alberts

Journal Articles

Purpose

Running over obstacles of sufficient height requires heel strike (HS) runners to make a transition in landing strategy to a forefoot (FF) strike, resulting in similar ground reaction force patterns to those observed while landing from a jump. Identification of the biomechanical variables that distinguish between the landing strategies may offer some insight into the reasons that the transition occurs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in foot strike patterns and kinetic parameters of heel strike runners between level running and running over obstacles of various heights.

Methods

Ten heel strike subjects ran at their …

Intralimb Coordination Following Obstacle Clearance During Running: The Effect Of Obstacle Height, Nikolaos Stergiou, Shane D. Scholten, Jody L. Jensen, Daniel Blanke

Journal Articles

The purpose of this study was to investigate the different coordination strategies used following obstacle clearance during running. Ten subjects ran over a level surface and over obstacles of six different heights (10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20 and 22.5% of their standing height). Analysis based upon the dynamical systems theory (DST) was used and the phasing relationships between lower extremity segments were examined. The results demonstrated that the increasing obstacle height elicited behavioral changes. The foot and the leg became more independent in their actions, while the leg and the thigh strengthened their already stable relationship. The 15% obstacle height …

A Dynamical Systems Investigation Of Lower Extremity Coordination During Running Over Obstacles, Nikolaos Stergiou, Jody L. Jensen, Barry T. Bates, Shane D. Scholten, George Tzetzis

Journal Articles

Objective. To investigate intralimb coordination during running over a level surface and over obstacles of three different heights.

Design. The phasing relationships between the foot and leg motions in the frontal plane, and the shank and thigh motions in the sagittal plane were used to compare patterns of coordination.

Background. The coordinated actions of lower extremity segments are necessary to absorb the impact forces generated during running. The behavioral patterns of these segments can be studied under changing task demands using analysis techniques from the Dynamical Systems Theory.

Methods. Ten subjects ran at their self-selected pace …

A Comparison Of Lower Back Pain And Injury In Competitive And Non-Competitive Gymnasts, Laura Marie Parks

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of lower back pain and the incidence o f lower back injury in non-competitive and competitive gymnasts. Secondly, the relationships of training variables with the incidence of lower back pain and lower back injury were examined. Seventy-eight female gymnasts (63 competitive and 15 non-competitive) ages 13-25 representing thirteen gymnastics clubs in the Midwest were surveyed. Each gymnast answered questions regarding years of training, weekly hours of practice, and history of low back pain and injury. Chi square analyses were done in order to compare the incidence o f lower back …

Relationship Between Reported Childhood And Adult Physical Activity, Kipp Ryan Kissinger

Student Work

It was the purpose of this research to examine the relationship between reported childhood and adult physical activity (PA), with special regards to the types of activities that correlate with habitual activity. Subjects were 249 male and female students age 19 to 30 years (M = 21.9 years) enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Subjects were surveyed from all departments on campus. Subjects were asked to complete a survey instrument that assessed past and present PA. The results o f the current study reported that there is a significant positive correlation (r = 0.284, p < 0.05) between the total score of past childhood PA and present adult PA. When past PA was divided into preteen and adolescent periods, there were also significant relationships (p < 0.05) with all of the four indices of present PA (work, sport, leisure and total). Regression analysis explained 17.6 % of the variance in exercise when predicting adult PA from the total score of past PA. The prediction equation is as follows: Y ' = 27.761 + 0.775 (Xi) + 0.276 ( X 2 ) + 0.945 ( X 3 ) + 1.787 (3Ct) - 1.254 ( X 5 ) ; where Xi = number o f varsity athletic letters received as an adolescent, X 2 = informal activities as a preteen, X 3 = level of athletic ability or coordination in favorite sport as an adolescent, X4 = P.F.. classes as an adolescent, and X5 = activity level compared to peers as a preteen. It was concluded that there was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the total score of past PA and each of the four indices of present PA.

Phase Determination During Normal Running Using Kinematic Data, Alan Hreljac, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

Algorithms to predict heelstrike and toe-off times during normal running at subject-selected speeds, using only kinematic data, are presented. To assess the accuracy of these algorithms, results are compared with synchronised force platform recordings from ten subjects performing ten trials each. Using a single 180Hz camera, positioned in the sagittal plane, the average RMS error in predicting heelstrike times is 4.5 ms, whereas the average RMS error in predicting toe-off times is 6.9ms. Average true errors (negative for an early prediction) are +2.4 ms for heelstrike and +2.8ms for toe-off, indicating that systematic errors have not occured. The average RMS …

Asynchrony Between Subtalar And Knee Joint Function During Running, Nikolaos Stergiou, Barry T. Bates, Stanley L. James

Journal Articles

Purpose: It has been suggested that during running proper coordination between subtalar joint pronation/supination and knee joint flexion/extension via tibial rotation is important to attenuate ground reaction impact forces (GRIF). Lack of coordination may produce over time a wide range of injuries. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between subtalar pronation/supination and knee flexion/extension with GRIF increases during distance running.

Methods: Eight subjects ran under different speeds (a self-selected pace, 10% faster, 10% slower, and 20% faster) and over different obstacle heights (5%, 10%, and 15% of their standing height) on their self-selected pace. …

"A Comparison Of The Use Of Exercise As A Leisure Activity For Anorexic And Bulimic Teenage Girls To A Control Group", Sara Beth Mccracken

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine if the leisure activities of anorexic and bulimic teenage girls differ from those of a control group and to determine the difference between the two groups in their commitment to exercise. Two surveys, the State Technical Institute's Leisure Assessment Process (STILAP) and the Commitment to Exercise Scale, were distributed to anorexic and bulimic teenage girls in an Omaha, Nebraska, treatment facility. The surveys were also given to a control group made up of teenage girls in two Omaha area high schools. Six girls participated in the anorexic and bulimic group and 18 …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Flexibility, Tanya Marie Schramm

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between flexibility and physical activity levels. Subjects included 128 male (n=64) and female (n=64) volunteers, 19 to 55 years of age. All subjects completed a physical activity questionnaire (which differentiated between work, sport, leisure and total physical activity) and a series of five flexibility tests. Four of the five flexibility tests were completed with the use of a goniometer which measured shoulder flexion, hip flexion, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion. The sit and reach test was used to assess hamstring­ lumbar flexibility. After analyzing the data by using …

The Relationship Between Subtalar And Knee Joint Function As A Possible Mechanism For Running Injuries, Nikolaos Stergiou, Barry T. Bates

Journal Articles

The purposes of the study were: (1) to evaluate the effects of different surfaces on the relationship between subtalar and knee joint function, and (2) to examine/explore alternative approaches to the evaluation of these relationships. Five subjects ran under four different surface conditions of various hardness, while both rear and sagittal view kinematic data were collected (200 Hz). Critical parameters describing the knee angle and rearfoot motion were examined in conjunction with a curve analysis technique which incorporated slope differences and curve correlations. A repeated measure ANOVA design (surface × subject) was used along with single subject procedures. The results …

Physiological Responses To Various Durations And Intensities Of Warmup, Susan J. Hanson

Student Work

Warmup has been a general practice for most athletes to engage in prior to a practice or competitive race. However, there has been little scientific evidence, specifically for the endurance athlete concerning the appropriate duration, intensity, or a combination of duration and intensity needed to enhance performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how different combinations of durations and intensities of warmup affect heart rate (HR), lactic acid· (LA), minute ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (R) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during a 5 minute treadmill run at 80% VO2 max. Subjects included four male and …

Performance Accomodation To Midsole Hardness During Running, Barry T. Bates, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

The effects of shoe hardness on impact force characteristics during running were elevated using both a group and single subject analysis approach. It was hypothesized that non-significant shoe effects previously reported could have resulted from the experimental design and analysis procedures employed. The present study evaluated 18 runners using a single subject procedure in addition to a group design (Shoe Condition X (Subject X Shoe Hardness)). ANOVA analyses identified significant differences (p < 0.05) between mean impact forces for the soft shoe condition and mean maximum knee flexion angles for the hard shoe condition. Individual subject analyses identified no significant (p <0:05) impact force differences for eight subjects while I 0 subjects exhibited significant differences. A significant correlation coefficient of -0.59 between impact force and maximum knee flexion suggested that some accommodation took place on average but the extent varied among subject. Post-hoc group analyses identified a relationship (r = 0.59) between impact tester results and impact forces for one subgroup of subjects.The results support the hypothesis that subjects can and do respond differently to the same perturbation ·and that these differential responses can compromise group analysis results.

Interactive Effects Between Group And Single-Subject Response Patterns, Janet S. Dufek, Barry T. Bates, Nikolaos Stergiou, C. Roger James

Journal Articles

A two-part study was undertaken to investigate the effects of movement experiences on lower extremity function during impact activities. Group and single-subject performances were evaluated for a total of 12 male volunteers during landing (Study I) and running (Study II) activities. Standard biomechanical techniques were used to obtain kinematic (200 Hz) and kinetic (1000 Hz) data during soft, normal and stiff-knee landings (Study I) and for under, normal, and over-stride running (Study II). Performance trials were tested for normality, condition differences were documented and multiple regression models were computed to predict the first (F1) and second (F2) maximum vertical forces …

Students' Perception Of Teacher Expectation In A Co-Educational Physical Activity Class, Cari Robin Turner

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to determine if a gender difference exists between students perception of male and female teacher expectation. Student perceptions were determined by administering the Student Perception Inventory (SPI) developed by McBride (1990). Three high schools and five junior high schools which included 15 teachers participated in the study. All students who participated were enrolled in co-educational physical activity classes. All students were surveyed at the beginning of the class period. There were 363 students surveyed. Of the 363 students surveyed, 342 were considered usable. Analysis of the data included frequency and percentage of response, as …

The Historical Transformation Of Swimming Into A Modern Leisure Activity, Stephanie J. Haas

Student Work

The purpose of this study is to trace the transformation of swimming from its earliest appearance in the literature to its contemporary form as a modern leisure activity. The processes of rationalization, legitimation and democratization are examined in pre-industrial, industrial, and post-industrial societies.

An investigation of the available literature disclosed negative attitudes toward swimming during the Middle Ages which caused a decrease in expressive uses of swimming. After this period, swimming's acceptance as a legitimate leisure activity continued to increase through the industrial and post-industrial eras. The democratization of swimming seemed limited to societies on the coasts of large bodies …

The Effect Of A Weight Training Program On The Happiness Of Young Women, Natalie Dowty

Student Work

An increasing body of research indicates that exercise has some positive psychological effects. But few studies focus specifically on weight training as the treatment, or happiness as the dependent variable. Additionally, much research has focused on psychological state changes from immediately before, to immediately following a physical activity. Little has been reported on the relationship between weight training and general happiness over a longer period of time, (i.e. three to four months). The purpose of this study was: (a) to determine the effect of beginning and maintaining a regular weight training program on the happiness of previously sedentary women, (b) …