Kinesiology Commons^™

Kinesiology Department Chairs’ Perceptions Of Their Training And Preparation, Kason O’Neil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Department chairs are responsible for leading academic departments in higher education.  These individuals regularly make important decisions regarding such things as managing faculty and academic programming, overseeing budgets, and supporting student needs. Despite these responsibilities, many people become department chairs without receiving formal leadership training. This study explored how kinesiology department chairs across the United States viewed their preparation for the role and the importance of leadership training. A total of 111 department chairs completed an online survey about their background, previous training, and the importance of training for different administrative responsibilities. The results showed that most chairs had little …

The Effects Of Different Volume-Load On Sprint And Change Of Direction Performance, Damar K. Bobb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to compare the effects of two different strength training protocols on sprint and change of direction (COD) performance in recreationally trained athletes. Participants were evaluated on maximal dynamic (1RM squat) and isometric (IMTP) strength, speed (30m sprint), and COD (5-0-5 test). The participants were divided into two groups (Low volume-heavy load group [LV], High volume-moderate load high-intensity endurance (HIE) group [HV]) after initial testing, for a 4-week training intervention using traditional and weightlifting derivative lifts. The training consisted of 5 sessions per week (3 sessions resistance training [RT], each about 40-50 mins; 2 sessions sprint & …

The Effects Of Off-Season Evidence-Based Training Block Periodization Program On The Performance Of Soccer Athletes In A Di School: An Exploratory Study, Ibrahim F. Almughathawi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The investigators explored the effects of a two-year evidence-based block periodization strength training program on performance outcomes in NCAA Division I male soccer athletes. The investigators aimed to examine longitudinal changes in body composition, explosive strength, and match-play physical demands, as well as the associations between field-based performance assessment and GPS-derived metrics. Using a retrospective design, data were drawn from a research data repository for athletes who participated in a long-term sport science monitoring program under the same head coach and training conditions. Performance measures included vertical jump assessments (static and counter movement jumps under bodyweight and external load), isometric …

The Reliability And Validity Of Accelerometry And Gnss, Christine Coniglio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation seeks to evaluate the reliability, validity, and utility of accelerometers and GNSS in sport-like scenarios, assess accelerometry-derived metrics and GNSS for distance prediction, and explore how accelerometer placement, specifically chest and back, affect the detection of various locomotor events. In Study I, the purpose was to investigate the accelerometer reliability and predictive capabilities of accelerometers and GNSS to predict a known distance. Thirty physically active female participants (mean height = 163.6 ± 6.8 cm, mean weight = 57.8 ± 8.7 kg) completed jogging trials over two courses (5m and 20m). Each participant wore two tri-axial accelerometers (100Hz) and …

Advancing Tka Biomechanics: From Joint Simulator To Boundary Condition Development, Yashar Ali Behnam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses four specific aims that collectively attempted to advance the experimental and computational analysis of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) components. The first study focused on the development of a novel whole knee joint simulator capable of simultaneous tibiofemoral and patellofemoral knee loading. This simulator employs custom fixturing to facilitate dynamic, unconstrained, muscle-driven PF articulation alongside controlled TF contact mechanics. Validation against experimental measurements showed strong agreement, demonstrating the simulator's potential as a valuable tool for future TKA design and surgical technique investigations.

The second study verified implant-specific physiological boundary conditions which accurately simulate activities of daily living using …

An Examination Of The Physical And Technical Demands Of The Competitive Season For Ncaa Division I Male Soccer Players, Emmanuel Espinoza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the physical and technical demands of collegiate NCAA D-I male soccer players over the course of a competitive season. The following are the major findings of the dissertation:

Study 1 – GPS normative data was calculated by position using data from 5 seasons (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022). GPS data was compared by position for 5 different GPS-derived metrics. No statistically significant differences were found in any field or lab testing data by position. Statistically significant relationships were found between physical match performance variables of TD and SPR with both YYIRT-1 and …

Relationships Between Fitness Levels, Physical Activity Participation, Hemoglobin A1c Levels, And Motor Proficiency In Adolescent Patients With Type 1 Diabetes., Caroline E. Frye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle and can lead to improved fitness levels and blood glucose management, as well as decreased HbA1c levels. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there are relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition, physical activity participation, hemoglobin A1C levels, and motor proficiency in adolescent patients with T1D. METHODS: Pediatric patients with a diagnosis of T1D enrolled in a sports medicine program were invited to participate in this study. Retrospective clinical chart reviews were conducted to determine participant’s sociodemographic and anthropometric measures and most …

Nutrient Intake, Performance, And Body Composition In Preseason Wrestlers, Gregory Coapstick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: College athletes, especially in weight class sports, often experience energy deficits. Weight class sports such as wrestling are at greatest risk for deficiencies, and little is known about the relationships between body composition, nutrient intake, and performance in these athletes.
OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to quantify macronutrient and micronutrient intake of pre-season male collegiate wrestlers and compare to recommendations, and examine relationships among nutritional intakes, body composition, and performance measurements of strength, anaerobic, and aerobic capacity.
METHODS: Male Division I wrestlers (n=11, mean ± SD age: 21.3±1.7 years, wrestling experience: 14.9±2.5 years) were recruited during preseason. …

Air-Jet Bioprinting Of Stem Cell-Encapsulated Alginate Micro-Droplets For Organoid Biomanufacturing, Mirabella B. Stump

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biomanufactured 3D-organoids show promise for modeling and treating various conditions, particularly insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type-1 diabetes). Pancreatic islet organoids serve as sustainable sources of insulin-producing β-cells, potentially restoring insulin regulation in patients and providing a long-term solution for diabetes. Hydrogel droplet printing is an emerging technique in regenerative medicine due to its advantageous tunability and biocompatibility; however, challenges of consistency, quality control, and scalability persist. To address these issues, we developed a novel air-jetting based droplet bioprinting system for the generation of monodispersed alginate micro-droplets. The objective of this project was to incorporate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into …

Kinematic Analysis Of Gait And Deep Knee Flexion For Pre- And Post-Operative Total Knee Arthroplasty, Samantha Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of arthritis that develops in the joint due to overuse and aging causing pain, discomfort, and disability. Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical procedure performed when OA symptoms are severe with an estimated 600,000 patients in the United States currently receiving TKA. Studies have reported dissatisfaction of the knee for 14-39% of patients. This study collected knee kinematics before and after surgery using stereo radiography for precise measurement of gait and deep knee flexion activities. Results showed healthy knee kinematics were not restored and no significant changes could be seen from OA kinematics in …

Exploration Of Motion Capture System To Investigate Human Shoulder Kinematics, Ola Alsaadi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The glenohumeral joint (GH) is commonly conceptualized as a ball-and-socket joint [1], and its center of rotation (COR) is presumed to coincide with the geometric center of the medial-superior region of the humeral head [2]. Recent research has endorsed improvements in COR estimation through invasive and noninvasive techniques, including cadaver studies, stereophotogrammetry, and motion capture (MOCAP) systems. Despite increased interest in wearable technology within human movement analysis, the problem of COR estimation employing MOCAP systems and its validation against bi-planar fluoroscopy remains relatively unexplored.

This study employed a marker-based MOCAP system to compare the accuracy, error, and precision of three …

Acute Responses To Combined Accentuated Eccentric Loading And Rest Redistribution, Sungwon Chae

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation was 2 parts of investigations of various acute responses to high-volume combined accentuated eccentric loading and rest redistribution (AEL + RR). Resistance-trained men (n = 12, 25.6 ± 4.4 years, 1.77 ± 0.06 m, 81.7 ± 11.4 kg) completed a back squat (BS) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and weight releaser familiarization session. Three BS exercise conditions (sets × repetitions × eccentric/concentric loading) comprised AEL + RR 5: 3 × (5 × 2) × 110/60%, AEL + RR 2: 3 × (2 × 5) × 110/60%, and traditional sets (TS): 3 × (1 × 10) × 60/60% 1RM. The …

Novel Approach For Non-Invasive Prediction Of Body Shape And Habitus, Emma Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While marker-based motion capture remains the gold standard in measuring human movement, accuracy is influenced by soft-tissue artifacts, particularly for subjects with high body mass index (BMI) where markers are not placed close to the underlying bone. Obesity influences joint loads and motion patterns, and BMI may not be sufficient to capture the distribution of a subject’s weight or to differentiate differences between subjects. Subjects in need of a joint replacement are more likely to have mobility issues or pain, which prevents exercise. Obesity also increases the likelihood of needing a total joint replacement. Accurate movement data for subjects with …

The Future Is Now In Twisted Coil Polymer Actuators (Tcpa), Ryan Ronquillo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aimed to fabricate and test twisted coiled polymer actuators (TCPA) to understand the mechanical and thermal aspects of this artificial muscle fiber. The purpose of this thesis was to find a linear relationship using the LVDT sensor, fabricating TCPA fibers, and interpreting the data. The project tested whether nylon/polymer could be used as a better artificial muscle fiber.

This research accomplished three goals: (1) designing and fabricating a system capable of creating supercoiled muscle fibers consistently, (2) calibrating the Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) and Core, and (3) analyzing/interpreting the data of the Twisted Coiled Polymer Actuators (TCPA) …

Metabolic Foundations Of Exercise-Induced Cardiac Growth., Kyle Fulghum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Regular aerobic exercise promotes physiological cardiac growth, which is an adaptive response thought to enable the heart to meet higher physical demands. Cardiac growth involves coordination of catabolic and anabolic activities to support ATP generation, macromolecule biosynthesis, and myocyte hypertrophy. Although previous studies suggest that exercise-induced reductions in cardiac glycolysis are critical for physiological myocyte hypertrophy, it remains unclear how exercise influences the many interlinked pathways of metabolism that support adaptive remodeling of the heart. In this thesis project, we tested the general hypothesis that aerobic exercise promotes physiological cardiac growth by coordinating myocardial metabolism to promote glucose-supported anabolic pathway …

The Effects Of Mindful Meditation On Body Image In Female Collegiate Athletes During The Late Luteal And Early Follicular Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle, Katherine Jankevicius

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Body image has been studied in previous research but there is a gap in research with the consideration of body image changes during the phases of the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a mindful meditation intervention on body image during the late luteal and early follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in collegiate female athletes. Eight female collegiate athletes (age: 20.5 ± 1.8 years, height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m, weight: 62.4 ± 8.9 kg, body fat: 26.4 ± 6.9%) participated in both the control and mindful meditation intervention with each taking three …

2-Day Vs. 4-Day Training Cessation Following A Step Taper In Competitive And Recreational Powerlifters, Benjamin Burke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in maximal strength, perceived recovery and stress state, and body composition alterations in powerlifters undergoing a 2-day or 4-day period of training cessation following a step taper. Ten participants completed a 6-week powerlifting specific training protocol. Body composition, perceived recovery and stress state, and maximal strength in the back squat (BS), bench press (BP), and deadlift (DL) were assessed prior to the overreach week (week 5) and either 2-days or 4-days after the taper. Alpha criterion was set at p≤0.05. There were statistically significant increases in BP (pp=0.03) …

Effects Of Varying Warmup Stimuli On Running Economy, Connor Bigenho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two potentiating warm-up stimuli (weighted-vest strides and plyometrics) on running economy (RE) over short (5-10 minutes) and longer durations (30+ minutes) of exercise in trained distance runners. Methods: Five recreationally trained male runners were recruited to participate in this study. Each trial consisted of a 10-min self-paced warm-up on the treadmill followed by baseline RE test and baseline leg-stiffness. This was immediately followed by one of two intervention warmup protocols. The protocols consisted of either a series of plyometric movements, 6 x 10-sec strides with a …

Recovery Methodologies And High Intensity Interval Training, Blake W. Johnson, Malcom T. Whitehead

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine recovery from Tabata bodyweight high intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise using different recovery assessment methodologies across 24- and 48-hour time intervals. Participants (23.2 ± 3.1 years old, 163.1 ± 19.9 lbs., and 22.8 ± 9.6 % body fat) consisted of 3 females and 7 males (n=10) Individuals who were recreationally trained (4+ days per week, 30+ minutes per day at moderate to vigorous intensity) and conducted both Trial A (24-hours between HIIT sessions) and Trial B (48-hours between HIIT sessions). Before and during each session, heart rate, countermovement jump, perceptual, …

Deception Of Resistance And The Effects On Muscular Fitness And Perceived Exertion, Tyler Mchenry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resistance training has been a popular tactic that individuals have used to increase muscular fitness for decades. Muscular fitness includes muscular endurance, strength, and power. However, limitations such as self-efficacy and the Central Governor Theory may influence individual maximal performance ability. One training tactic that has been rarely researched is the deception of resistance during exercise, which is assumed to increase performances in all aspects of muscular fitness and improvements in perceived effort. Inconsistent results have been concluded from previous studies that have examined the same topic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance …

The Effects Of Hip Rotation On Hip Abductor Muscle Activation During Lateral Band Walk Exercise, Gina M. Fritz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Lateral band walks (LBW) have been used to strengthen hip abductors and decrease risk of lower extremity injuries. Several methods have been used to complete this exercise to determine which has the best outcome. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activation of the gluteus medius (Gmed), gluteus maximus (Gmax), and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) during straight leg LBW exercises performed using three different hip positions: 30-degree internal rotation, 30-degree external rotation, and a neutral hip position. METHODS: Thirty-seven recreationally active participants (10 male, 27 female; age=21.4±2.2 yr; mass=71.4±13kg; height=1.7±0.1 m) completed this study. Surface EMG …

Strength And Body Composition Changes Of Junior Hockey Players During The Competitive Season, Dan Marquette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study investigated the body composition and strength changes of NAHL junior hockey players across a competitive season. It was hypothesized that players would lose lean body mass loss from pre-season to end-season. The secondary hypothesis was that players would lose strength in relation to the anticipated loss in lean body mass. Methods: Outcome measurements were taken at pre-season, mid-season, and endseason points of a competitive NAHL junior hockey season (n = 15, age = 19.1 years). Body composition was measured using air plethysmography (BodPod) and strength was measured using isokinetic strength testing (Biodex). Results: No significant changes in …

Psychometric Evaluation Of Memory And Concentration Sections In The Standardized Assessment Of Concussion, Seungho Ryu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate validate the memory and concentration sections of the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) from the SCAT5. Two studies were conducted. The first study examined item difficulty and discrimination using 10 new word lists of 3 versions in the immediate memory section using item analysis based on classical test theory and to equate scores earned on different versions of 10 word lists using test equating methods. The second evaluated the validity of digits backwards in the concentration section, and evaluated current and new scoring methods for the digit backwards. Two hundred young adults …

Visual Tracking Speed And Soccer Performance Metrics, Julia Paige Phillips

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Visual training has previously been shown to correlate to sport specific level of training and sport specific performance measures in controlled conditions. However, it remains unclear if these relationships exist between visual tracking thresholds and in competition decision making metrics over the duration of a soccer season. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual tracking speed (VTS) baseline scores and soccer-specific performance measures. In total, 19 NCAA Division I soccer players were tested before the 2021 spring soccer season, after exclusionary criteria only 13 were utilized for analysis. VTS was measured from 1-core session …

Tibial Strains And Tray-Bone Micromotions After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Computational Studies Evaluating The Tibial Fixation, Huizhou Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cemented and cementless fixation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been successfully used for decades. As the number of younger and more active patients treated with TKA continues to increase, long-term implant survivorship is of increasing importance. One of the most common complications and hence the reason for revision is mechanical loosening (23.1% of all revised TKA). The loosening mechanisms have been proposed for different fixation types. For cemented fixation, bone remodeling after surgery is regulated by the changes in strain energy density (SED). The recruitment of osteoclasts and osteoblasts is controlled by SED-related signals. Insufficient stimuli can promote bone …

Accurate Measurement Of Healthy Joint Kinematics To Inform Diagnosis And Treatment, Vasiliki Kefala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The description of human motion has a primary importance in different scientific areas such as medicine, sports, physical therapy. Kinematics specifically studies pure motion without reference to the causes of motion such as forces. Understanding the kinematics of human movement is of critical importance in medicine and biology. Motion measure­ment can be used in order to to evaluate functional performance of limbs under normal and abnormal conditions. Kinematic knowledge is also important for diagnosis and surgi­cal treatment of joint disease and the design of implants to rehabilitate function. Accurate joint kinematics is essential to protect articular functionality. An alteration may …

Improvements In Timing Variables For The Timed Up And Go And Its Subphases Following A Progressive Resistance Training Program, Shelby Kasch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of progressive resistance training (PRT), with the inclusion of balance and stretching exercises, on the timed up and go (TUG) task. Specifically, we investigated the TUG in regard to changes in timing variables for the entire movement and the subphases, in association with muscular strength, ambulation, fatigue, and perceived disability in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS).
Methods: Fifteen PwMS volunteered twice weekly for a twelve-week PRT exercise training program. The participants underwent an assessment at baseline (strength assessments using a Biodex dynamometer and one repetition max (1RM); the TUG and its subphases using Qualysis Track …

Recreational Female Crossfit Athletes And Low Energy Availability, Alison Kuch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CrossFit is a demanding sport in which athletes perform constantly varied, functional movements at a high intensity, therefore requiring an adequate energy availability to avoid negative health and performance consequences. The purpose of this study was to assess risk of low energy availability (low EA) (phase 1) among recreational, female CrossFit athletes and measure and calculate energy availability using a 7-day dietary to measure energy intake (EI) and exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) (phase 2). In phase 1, using the LEAF-Q (Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire), 49% of survey respondents (n=149) were found to be at risk of low EA. …

Broadening The Capability Of Kinetics Analysis In Biomechanics, Nicholas Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two studies are discussed in this manuscript each preceded by a literature review of the topic. The first review and study explore agility movements and the effect that alternative upper designs in shoes might have on ground reaction force measures of performance. The second review and study evaluate methods of predicting ground reaction forces without the use of a force platform. A method of using effective forces and ways of improving its accuracy are evaluated in depth.

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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