Kinesiology Commons^™

An Evaluation Of Induced Shear Stress On Endothelial Cellular Adhesion Molecules, Edward B. Crabb

Theses and Dissertations

The pathophysiology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highlighted by vascular dysfunction and low-grade vascular inflammation. Furthermore, the site-specific distribution of atherosclerosis throughout the arterial vasculature is primarily determined by local hemodynamic force. Therefore, this dissertation outlines three experiments designed to investigate the role of acute mental and physical (i.e., aerobic exercise), and vascular wall shear stress (SS) on the inflammatory aspects of atherosclerosis. Chapter 2 examines the effect of acute laboratory-induced mental stress on intracellular pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Chapter 3 investigates the impact of acute laboratory-induced mental stress and maximal aerobic exercise on the …

Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction Training On Healthy Individuals Using The (B)Strong Training System: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Mallory Rockhill

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine and compare muscular fitness and subjective muscle pain between blood flow restriction (BFR) training using the (B)Strong Training System and traditional resistance training program after a 7-week intervention. Thirty-one healthy male and female young adults volunteered to participate. Participants were randomly selected into three groups: HIRES (high intensity resistance training), LIBFR (low intensity blood flow restriction training) or CON (control). All participants refrained from structured activity outside of this study for the duration of the entire study. Anthropometrics, body composition, muscular strength and endurance were measured prior to and post training. Delayed …

The Relationship Between The Distance Of An External Focus Of Attention And Lower Body Power In Rugby Athletes, Donald Pump

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation is to examine the relationship between the distance effect on power output during countermovement jumps in Rugby athletes. Hypothesis Testing was conducted utilizing a Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM ANOVA) at a .05 significance level. A Pairwise comparison was conducted to determine if one variable had a greater amount of quantitative property. Statistical insignificance was determined after all data was analyzed Results were unable to show a positive relationship between the distance of an external focus of attention and lower body power output in rugby athletes.

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Environment And Its Influence On Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Physical Activity In Youth, Morgan N. Clennin

Theses and Dissertations

Among youth, inadequate cardiorespiratory fitness and physical inactivity are powerful markers of health associated with numerous health outcomes across the lifespan. Unfortunately, a majority of U.S. youth have inadequate cardiorespiratory fitness levels and do not meet physical activity guidelines. While previous research has identified several individual-level factors associated with youth cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity, environmental factors have been increasingly recognized. Of particular interest is the neighborhood socioeconomic environment, which has been consistently associated with several health outcomes among adults. However, little is known regarding the relationship between the neighborhood socioeconomic environment, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical activity among younger populations. …

The Effects Of Ice And Tens Combination Treatment On Knee And Hip Joint Neuromechanics In Individuals With Experimentally Induced Knee Pain During Running, Sunku Kwon

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Knee injury is a common problem for runners. Knee pain is a common symptom in knee injury and is associated with alterations in knee and hip muscle activation and hip joint angles. Relieving pain through intervention may help to restore neuromuscular function. Objective: To examine the effects of ice and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) combination treatment on perceived knee pain, hip frontal plane angle, and muscle activation during running in individuals with experimental knee pain (EKP). Design: Crossover. Setting: Laboratory. Subjects: 19 participants (11 males and 8 females, 23.2 ± 1.9 y, 176 …

Improving The Active Straight Leg Raise By Active And Passive Partner Assisted Stretching, Cortney R. Payne

Theses and Dissertations

The Functional Movement Screen has been a very popular tool for assessing athlete’s movements and predicting future risk of injury. In the hierarchy of this screen, the active straight leg raise reigns supreme. They have shown that improvements in this movement correlate to improvements in other movements but not vise versa. It is important to find a way to quickly improve this functional movement, so it can be utilized in group settings to help potentially reduce the risk of injury in athletes. The findings of this study will serve to be valuable in sports injury and improvement in performance. The …

The Impact Of Non-Mandated Physical Training On Physiological Measures And Performance In Army Officers, Emily Garrett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe the physiological changes in body composition and fitness assessments in US Army Officers after 5 months of non-mandated exercise. Twenty two captains stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia volunteered to participate (age; 26.9£1.2 years, height; 1.76+0.6m, and weight; 83.1+11.1kg). Eleven participants remained in active units with mandated training (MT) while 11 participants were in positions where training was not mandated (NMT). Anthropometrics, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic power, and muscular strength were measured in both groups before and after the intervention period (1812 weeks). At pre-intervention, MT and NMT were not different in …

Passive Hallux Adduction Decreases Blood Flow To Plantar Fascia, Julia Lorene Dunbar

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Due to the vital role that blood flow plays in maintaining tissue health, compromised blood flow can prevent effective tissue healing. An adducted hallux, as often seen inside a narrow shoe, may put passive tension on the abductor hallucis, consequently compressing the lateral plantar artery (LPA) into the calcaneus and thus restricting blood flow. The purpose of this study was to compare blood flow within the LPA before and after passive hallux adduction (PHA). Methods: Forty-five healthy volunteers (20 female, 25 male; age = 24.8 ± 6.8 yr; height = 1.7 ± 0.1 m; weight = 73.4 ± 13.5 …

Gait Alterations And Plantar Pressure In Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Preliminary Study, Adrienne Dora Henderson

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Despite a lack of consensus on its utility, clinicians have traditionally relied on plantar pressure (PP) to predict ulcer risk and prescribe interventions in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Joint kinematics and kinetics have the potential to contribute to DPN assessment and treatment, however previous studies have not accounted for walking speed nor integrated a full-body analysis with a detailed foot model. Purpose: To assess PP and gait alterations in DPN by controlling walking speed and incorporating a multisegment foot model into a full-body gait analysis. We hypothesize that hip and ankle kinetics will be altered consistent with …

Comparing Bmi Perceptions Of Self-And Others Between Kinesiology And Non-Kinesiology University Students, Dzenita Bahtic

Theses and Dissertations

Misperception of own BMI has been postulated as a factor contributing to the increasing prevalence rates of overweight and obesity. Objectives: To examine 1) perceptions university students had toward their own and others’ BMI, and 2) if Kinesiology majors could better assess others’ BMI classifications than non-Kinesiology majors. Methods: Data were collected from 567 (male, n = 144; female, n = 423) university students using a structured questionnaire. Measures consisted of height, weight, perception of own BMI, and visual perception of own and others’ BMI. Self-reported BMI was calculated from height and mass then classified per World Health Organization classifications. …

Graston Technique Pressure Changes On Hamstring Range Of Motion, Emily Martz

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) can be applied as a myofascial treatment using a set of instruments and is growing in popularity with clinicians. There is a gap in the literature identifying the best pressure application recommendation without eliciting unnecessary discomfort.

Objective: To investigate if using light or firm pressure applied with the Graston Technique (GT) would have an impact on changing range of motion (ROM).

Design: Single blinded randomized control trial

Setting: Laboratory

Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-seven physically active participants (14 females and 13 males; age: 23±3.4 years; height: 68.59±3.32; weight: 83.6±30.79) were recruited and assessed …

Supporting The Medial Longitudinal Arch: A Comparison Between Intrinsic And Extrinsic Musculature, James D. Schaefer

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Much Research has been done to study what muscles best support the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). However these studies look at intrinsic or extrinsic muscles individually rather than comparing their effects at support of the MLA in a static stance. Researchers have yet to examine the changes to the MLA in the gait cycle rather than just looking at it from a static point of view. Objective: To study the effectiveness of two strengthening protocols for supporting the medial longitudinal arch during stance and gait. Design: Single-blinded, randomized control trial. Setting: Testing was completed in two athletic training facilities. …

Exercise Is Medicine On Campus Program Comparisons: A Descriptive Study, Jacquelyn Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of how universities are implementing EIM-OC at their campus with specific focus on the involved departments/entities, the client experience, and programming options.

METHODS: The participants for the study were the university representatives for all currently recognized Exercise is Medicine® on Campus programs. The date was collected via Qualtrics survey, containing 49 questions, which was distributed via email to 172 schools (both domestic and international), to which 24 responses were submitted. Participants were identified via ACSM Exercise is Medicine® on Campus advisor email list for all universities with a …

Effects Of Ice Massage Prior To An Iontophoresis Treatment Using Dexamethasone, Brady Michael Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Low current intensity iontophoresis treatments have shown an increase in skin perfusion over 700% from baseline potentially increasing drug clearance from the targeted area. Objective: To determine the effects of a 10-minute ice massage on subcutaneous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex-P) concentration and skin perfusion during and after a 4 mA iontophoresis treatment. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Research Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: 26 individual participants (Males = 15, Females = 11, age = 25.6 ± 4.5 y, height = 173.9 ± 8.51 cm, mass = 76.11 ± 16.84 kg). Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: 1) …

Can A Preseason Screen Predict Injury Or Performance Over Three Years Of College Football?, Bartley B. Mortensen

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To investigate if the Functional Movement Screen (FMSâ„¢) total score, individual component test scores or number of asymmetries can predict noncontact injury risk or player performance over three consecutive seasons of NCAA Division I football. Methods: As football teams are comprised of individuals with vastly different physical characteristics and playing responsibilities, we divided the subjects into three homogeneous groups based on position (Big, Combo and Skill). Each FMSâ„¢ score was assessed with regard to the total team score as well as by individual position groups. For our injury analysis we also controlled for exposure. For player performance we controlled …

The Effects Of A Three-Hour, After School Bout Of Sedentary Vs Active Behavior On Reward And Cognitive Control Activation In 8- To 9-Year-Old Children: A Randomized Crossover Study, Mary Linn White

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of after-school sedentary versus active play on activation in the reward and cognitive control regions of the brain to pictures of high- and low-calorie foods. METHODS: 32 children (12 girls, 20 boys; age 8.7 ± 0.5 years; height 137.9 ± 6.9 cm; weight 32.4 ± 6.2 kg) participated in a randomized crossover study with counterbalanced treatment conditions. Conditions took place on separate days after school and included three hours of active or sedentary play. After each condition, neural activation in reward and cognitive control regions of the brain were assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging …

Positional Release Therapy Versus Therapeutic Massage In Reducing Muscle Trigger And Tender Points, Amber Hancock Bethers

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine the difference in effectiveness of positional release therapy (PRT) compared with therapeutic massage (TM) in treating trigger and tender points in the upper trapezius muscle. Background: Trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle are common and can be painful. Therapeutic massage is a more traditional treatment method for this condition while PRT is relatively new. Design and Setting: A randomized-group design was used to examine the differences between the 2 treatments for reducing pain and muscle tension. Subjects: Sixty healthy subjects (males = 24, females = 36; age = 27.1 ± 8.8 years; wt = 75.2 ± …

The Effect Of Whole-Body Vibration In Repositioning The Talus In Chronic Ankle Instability Populations, Melissa Nicole Frixione

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) is often limited in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Whole-body vibration (WBV) may enhance DFROM by helping to reposition the talus and assisting with talocrural arthrokinematics. Objective: To determine if WBV can enhance DFROM in patients with ankle instability and determine if talar position is affected. Setting: Cohort study. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 25 subjects with CAI (17 women, 8 men; age = 22 ±2.101 years, mass = 72.4 ±17.9 kg, height = 171.2 ± 11.6 cm) participated. Intervention(s): Participants in the WBV group completed a 4-week (12 session) WBV …

The Effect Of Photobiomodulation Therapy On Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Kathleen Nichole Thiriot

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To explore the difference between continuous and pulsed photobiomodulation (PBMT) versus a placebo treatment when using a red-blue light combination over multiple treatment sessions to decrease the symptoms of muscle damage in the quadriceps muscle after a bout of muscle damaging exercise. Methods: Thirty-six healthy, nonactive male and female participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: continuous PBMT, pulsed PBMT, and placebo treatment. Participants were assessed for muscle damage with knee extension maximal isometric and isokinetic contractions, as well as Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) scores. Blood creatine kinase (CK) was also …

Testing The Effects Of Message Framing On Physical Activity Motivation In Active And Non-Active Adults, Derek James Hevel

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: Understanding how to best “sell” physical activity (PA) is a critical goal. This study investigated the effects of message framing on motivation to participate in a PA program, and tested whether the effectiveness of messages framed to promote either affective benefits, physical health benefits, or a combination of benefits varied based on one’s current PA status.

METHODS: Adult participants (N=188) from a Midwestern university, who were recruited via email, completed an online survey assessing demographic information and current stage of change. They then viewed one of four randomly assigned promotional flyers for a PA program offered on campus. The …

The Association Between Parental Beliefs About Sport Specialization And Athlete Sport Specialization Classification, Henry Mercier

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Previous research has demonstrated a high prevalence of extrinsic pressures among single sport athletes. The influence of parental beliefs on a high school student athlete’s decision to participate in a single sport rather than multiple sports has yet to be determined. Objective: To estimate a student athlete’s level of sport specialization from parental sport specialization beliefs and to investigate independent relationships of potential factors influencing the decision to pursue a single sport. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: High school athletics. Participants: Fifty-seven high school student athletes (25 females, 32 males; mean age 15.6±1.6 years) selected onto freshmen, junior varsity, or …

The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cardiovascular-Related Circulating Micrornas, Jacob Luther Barber

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that post transcriptionally modify mRNAs and control gene expression. Circulating miRNAs are significantly altered following a single session of exercise, however the effects of exercise training on the circulating miRNA profile is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of endurance exercise training on the abundance of targeted circulating miRNAs and the association of changes in miRNA levels with concomitant changes in cardiometabolic traits, in a subsample of adults from the HERITAGE Family Study.

METHODS: This exploratory analysis examined 20 previously sedentary adults from the HERITAGE Family …

Cortical Damage And Disconnection Contribute To Post-Stroke Sensorimotor Impairment, Shafagh Yazdani

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND. Stroke is a cerebrovascular event that causes permanent damage to brain regions and decreases in connectivity (disconnection) between brain regions. Most stroke survivors have permanent difficulties performing functional motor tasks, thus research into how damage and disconnection produce difficulties performing motor tasks can help guide post-stroke rehabilitation. Previous studies have examined the extent to which cortical damage produces motor impairments, but the extent to which disconnection produces motor impairments remains unclear. Furthermore, studies have focused on how motor impairments contribute to difficulties performing motor tasks, whereas the role of visuospatial impairments has received little attention. Neuroimaging techniques for quantifying …

Enhancing Dancing: Examining The Potency Of A Combined Action Observation And Brain Stimulation Intervention, Melissa B. Kolar

Theses and Dissertations

Research supports the idea that action observation (AO)-based training can be an effective component of physical training and rehabilitation. While much is known about the benefits of AO for simple movements, less is known about the utility of AO-based training for complex, whole-body sequences of movements. Additionally, positive motor performance and neurophysiological findings are associated with anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation (A-tDCS). Therefore, it may be valuable to investigate the combination of these two approaches to further enhance motor learning. It is unknown how this combination, utilizing an alternative electrode arrangement of t-DCS (bihemispheric anodal corticomotor tDCS [BAC-tDCS]), would affect learning …

The Effects Of Exercise Mode And Intensity On Energy Expenditure During And After Exercise In Resistance Trained Males, George Lewis Grieve

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise mode and intensity on energy expenditure (EE) during and after five time-matched aerobic and resistance exercise protocols in resistance trained males.

Methods: 14 resistance trained males (mean ± SD; age = 24.2 ± 4.0 yr; body mass = 84.7 ± 13.3 kg; height = 181.2 ± 8.8 cm; and body fat = 15.9 ± 4.6%) completed five separate protocols: continuous aerobic (continuous), high intensity interval aerobic (HIIT), strength endurance (2x20), traditional resistance (3x10), and high intensity resistance (4x6). EE was measured before, during, immediately post (0-30 minutes), …

The Effects Of Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors On Lipoprotein Particle Concentration And Size, Ryan R. Porter

Theses and Dissertations

Lipoprotein concentrations are well established biological markers associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Recent research has placed great importance on the various functions of the different lipoprotein subfractions (small and large low-density lipoprotein particles [LDL-P]; small, medium and large high-density lipoprotein particles [HDL-P]). Modifiable lifestyle behaviors such as exercise, diet, and sleep have been shown to have direct effects on CVD risk, in part by altering blood lipid and lipoprotein profiles. The overall goal of this dissertation was to determine if specific modifiable lifestyle behaviors were associated with the concentration and size of lipoprotein subfractions.

Two studies, both utilizing a …

Calibration Of An Accelerometer For Measurement Of Very Light Intensity Physical Activity In Children, Joseph S. Gorab

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity prevalence is continuing to rise in children in the United States. Decreased physical activity has long been thought to be a cause of this trend. As such, much of the accelerometer study has been focused on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). More recently, time spent in sedentary behavior has received much attention as well. There is an abundance of time spent in light intensity physical activity, and yet comparatively little focus has been placed on it in the field of accelerometer study. The purpose of this study was to generate an accelerometer count cut-point for the ActiGraph GT3X+ …

The Role Of The Midfoot In Drop Landings, Mark Taylor Olsen

Theses and Dissertations

The contribution of the midfoot in landing mechanics is understudied. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to quantify midtarsal joint kinematics and kinetics during a barefoot single-leg landing task. A secondary aim of this study was to explore the relationship between static foot posture and dynamic midfoot function. In a cross-sectional study design, 48 females (age = 20.4 ± 1.8 yr, height = 1.6 ± 0.06 m, weight = 57.3 ± 5.5 kg, BMI = 21.6 ± 1.7 kg·m^-1) performed drop landings from a height of 0.4 m onto split force platforms. Subjects hung from wooden …

Impact Of Aerobic Exercise On Monocyte Subset Receptor Expression And Macrophage Polarization, Anson M. Blanks

Theses and Dissertations

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is hallmarked by inflammatory immune activation, particularly by the induction of a response by monocytes. Classical (CD14⁺⁺CD16^-) are anti-inflammatory mediators under homeostatic conditions, while intermediate (CD14⁺⁺CD16⁺) and non-classical (CD14^LowCD16⁺⁺) monocytes promote inflammation following activation. Monocyte activation and functionality is dependent upon receptor expression and ligand production by a variety of cells, including monocytes. Alterations in the expression of surface receptors often have a direct impact upon monocyte function, such as the increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in response to activation that accompanies elevated CD14 expression …

Lps-Induced Inos Mrna And The Pro-Apoptotic Signaling Pathway In Leukocytes Of Fit And Unfit Males, Tiffany M. Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations

Overexpression of the enzyme iNOS induces apoptotic cellular death by increasing indices of pro-inflammation and oxidative stress. Aerobic physical activity has been known to have anti- inflammatory benefits and reduce oxidative stress. Purpose: Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of aerobic fitness on LPS-induced iNOS mRNA expression and the relationship of this expression with indices of oxidative stress, pro-inflammation and apoptosis in isolated leukocytes. Methods: Whole blood samples from aerobically fit and unfit males were stimulated with and without LPS. Thereafter, iNOS mRNA expression and MDA, TNF-α and p53 concentrations were analyzed. Results: iNOS mRNA expression levels following …