Kinesiology Commons^™

Oxygen Consumption In Highly Skilled Baseball Pitchers, Jesse Clingman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to describe the physiological demands of highly skilled baseball pitchers during pitching, along with pitch metrics. Three junior college and three professional (n = 6) baseball pitchers participated in this study. Participants completed a graded exercise test (GXT) to volitional exhaustion to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and estimated body fat percentage, height, and body mass were measured on day one of testing. Next, participants faced live batters on a baseball field while wearing a portable metabolic analyzer (Cosmed K5) to measure respiratory gases including oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide produced (VCO2) …

The Influence Of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation On Fatigue Resistance, Kayla De Guzman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Fatigue is an exercise-induced reduction in muscle force generating capacity. Several studies have shown that some forms of non-invasive brain stimulation can increase the resistance to fatigue during sustained isometric contractions. The purpose was to determine the influence of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on the time to task failure (TTF) of a precision grip task in young adults. Twenty-two healthy young men and women participated in the study. The study utilized a randomized, double-blind, SHAM-controlled, within-subjects, crossover design. Each participant completed two experimental sessions (tACS, SHAM) with a 7-day washout period between sessions. Each session involved performance of a …

Physiological Effects Of A Traditional Active Warm-Up Versus A Passive Warm-Up During Submaximal Endurance Exercise, Vernice Ollano

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to investigate physiological responses during a traditional active warm-up and a passive warm-up consisting of wearing heated trousers during a submaximal endurance cycling workout. Participants included 10 cyclists/triathletes (3 females, 7 males; age: 48 ± 13 years old; mass: 157.9 ± 33.8 kg; height: 169.3 ± 8.65 cm; percent body fat: 25.3 ± 8.53 %) of at least 18 years of age who could continuously cycle for at least 120 minutes and had knowledge of their individual FTP. Experimental 1-day testing included a randomized crossover design where participants proceeded with two different protocols: an …

Musculoskeletal Injury Concealment In The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Joshua D. Wooldridge

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

INTRODUCTION: Among service members, musculoskeletal injuries threaten military readiness and place a substantial burden on medical and financial resources. While musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) are a leading threat to military readiness, service members’ unwillingness to seek care constrains current prevention and surveillance efforts. A growing body of evidence shows US service members conceal a large proportion of injuries, especially in training environments. The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is a critical training environment for future US military commissioned officers. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is the largest commissioning source of new officers for the US military. ROTC cadets are college students concurrently …

Effect Of Metronome, Hospital Mattress, And Step Stool Usage On Chest Compression Rate And Depth During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Cpr): A Collection Of Systematic Reviews And Meta-Analyses, Lee A. Doernte

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of: (1) a metronome, (2) a hospital mattress, and (3) a step stool on chest compression rate and chest compression depth during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). These studies comply with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist for searches and reporting systematic reviews. We utilized the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) to categorize the certainty of evidence.The first analysis focused on metronome usage while performing CPR. Our methods for this study were to conduct literature searches for studies comparing metronome usage to a …

Quantifying Road Bicycle Wheel Vibration, Kyle Petersen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Understanding factors that influence wheel vibration may have practical applications for cyclists and manufacturers. However, a reliable method to measure these vibrations and tools to interpret the data are needed. PURPOSE: To establish a methodology to measure vibration of the road bicycle wheel and to quantify measured vibrations resulting from changes velocity, tire pressure, and surface roughness. METHODS: A single participant cycled on stationary cycle rollers with different tire pressure, speed, and surface roughness conditions. An accelerometer was mounted to rim of the front wheel. Data were analyzed in the frequency domain following a Fourier Transformation. Data were reduced by …

Balance Recovery Response In Community-Dwelling Adults With Unilateral Transtibial Amputation And The Potential Benefits Of A Weight-Shifting Balance Training Intervention, Hui-Ting Shih

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Previous studies have shown that individuals with various physical, sensory and neuromuscular impairments are at higher risks of falls. Individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation (UTTA) suffered from all these impairments, and tripping not surprisingly caused a considerable number of falls in this population. To study falls, researchers have to put participants in a well-protected environment and reproduce tripping fall scenarios. Furthermore, the perturbation delivery needs to be precise in terms of temporo-spatial timing. These features would ensure the quality of responses elicited and reproducibility of the results. Thus, in Chapter 2, we developed a treadmill-based perturbation delivery protocol and confirmed …

Attentional Focus And The Development Of Skilled Performance, Harjiv Singh

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A central question in the development of skilled movement is: how a performer should focus their attention while preparing for the execution of a motor skill? Considerable evidence has shown that directing attention towards an intended movement effect (i.e., external focus) results in performance benefits relative to focusing on body movements (i.e., internal focus). While most of the previous research has emphasized the effects of internal versus external foci, evidence also suggests that external foci located at greater distances from the body (distal foci) are more effective than external foci located in greater proximity to the body (proximal foci) and …

Direction Of Attentional Focus In Prosthetic Training: Current Practice And Potential For Improving Motor Learning In Individuals With Lower Limb Loss, Alexander Bonczyk, Maria Katrina Tillada Dimapilis, Sarah Partridge, Samantha Ruiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Adopting an external focus of attention has been shown to benefit motor performance and learning. However, the potential of optimizing attentional focus for improving prosthetic motor skills in lower limb prosthesis (LLP) users has not been examined. In this study, we investigated the frequency and direction of attentional focus embedded in the verbal instructions in a clinical prosthetic training setting.

Methods: Twenty-one adult LLP users (8 female, 13 male; 85% at K3 level; mean age=50.5) were recruited from prosthetic clinics in the Southern Nevada region. Verbal interactions between LLP users and their prosthetists (mean experience=10 years, range=4-21 years) during …

Effects Of A Remote Exercise Intervention On Aerobic Endurance In Individuals With Down Syndrome, Andrew Murata, Elena Wolf, Jonathan Crimm, Benjamin Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Down syndrome (Ds) or Trisomy 21 is a common genetic birth condition, and those with Ds typically display decreased cardiorespiratory fitness compared to those without Ds, potentially leading to an increased risk for cardiovascular conditions and mortality. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is partially caused by low physical activity levels in this population. The COVID-19 pandemic caused community-based activity programs to shut down, as individuals with Ds are at increased risk for COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Thus, it was vital to explore alternatives of in-person exercise during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a …

The Effects Of A Telehealth Exercise Intervention On Balance In Adults With Down Syndrome, Mark Barton, Kristina Guerrero, Andrew Martinez, Alexandria Umagat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: People with Down syndrome (Ds) often present with balance deficits, which compromise their safety during daily activity. While evidence shows that exercise can improve balance in the Ds population, it is unclear if a telehealth method will elicit similar benefits. We aimed to examine the effects of a virtual exercise program on balance in adults with Ds.

Methods: Twenty participants completed a 12-week telehealth exercise program based on the Mann Method. Balance testing took place before and after the intervention, which included: Timed Up and Go (TUG), Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (MCTSIB), Frailty and Injuries: …

Diurnal Regulation Of Exercise-Induced Myocardial Signaling And Transcription, Charli Aguilar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Exercise is well known for its many benefits on the body and most notably the heart. Recent emphasis, and significant resources, have been dedicated to elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which exercise exerts its pluripotent beneficial effects on health and the prevention of disease. A continuous evolution in this field has sought to modulate and optimize exercise in various ways to maximize the benefits. In recent years, a growing appreciation for the impact of circadian rhythms has gained traction and their influence on many essential biological functions have been integrated into exercise physiology (i.e. - chrono-exercise), as well as …

Sight Deprivation And Metabolic Effects During The Ymca Bench Press Test, Kyle Cruz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Several studies have investigated the effect of sensory deprivation, particularly sight. However, very few have demonstrated the impact of sight deprivation while exercising to cadence blindfolded. This study aimed to determine exercise performance during a common muscular endurance evaluation, the YMCA Bench Press Test (YBPT), while blindfolded compared to a sighted condition. Twenty-five healthy participants (11 male, 14 female, 168 ± 7.7cm, 68 ± 11.7kg, 23 ± 7.5% fat mass) were recruited from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas student populations and communities. After a YBPT familiarization session, participants completed testing in a counterbalanced order, following the same procedures. A …

Investigation Of Swimming Physiology And Swimming Kinematics While Wearing Different Triathlon Wetsuit Styles At Submaximal Front Crawl Swimming In Recreational Population, Boram Lim

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Triathlon wetsuits are commonly used due to the potential benefits in swimming performance and thermoregulation. Triathletes may select different wetsuit styles depending on many factors such as temperature regulation, swimming technique, body type, and training purpose. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence for how different wetsuit styles affect physiological responses and swimming kinematics during submaximal swimming intensity. Therefore, this studyaimed to investigate the physiological responses and swimming kinematics during submaximal intensity front crawl swimming while wearing different wetsuit styles. Fourteen participants (n=6 male, n=8 female; all recreational triathletes or swimmers) completed a swimming graded exercise test (GXT) wearing …

Predicting The Progression Of Diabetes Mellitus Using Dynamic Plantar Pressure Parameters, Mathew Sunil Varre

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the common complications of type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Changes in the intrinsic plantar tissue coupled with repetitive mechanical loads and loss of sensation may lead to foot related complications (skin break down, ulcerations, and amputations) in persons with neuropathy if left untreated. The purpose of this dissertation was to stratify individuals with pre-diabetes, diabetes with and without neuropathy using dynamic plantar pressure parameters during walking, using machine learning algorithms.Methods: Plantar pressure data was collected from one hundred participants during walking with pressure measuring insoles fixed between the feet and thin socks. Simultaneously high-definition …

Time-Of-Day And Chronotype Dependent Effects Of Exercise On Migraine Load In People With Chronic Migraines: A Cross-Over Randomized Clinical Trial, Elias M. Malek

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Migraines are the most common cause of chronic pain. Effective, non-pharmacological strategies to reduce migraine load are needed. Exercise is an effective strategy, but it is unclear how exercise timing and temporal preference (chronotype) factors modulate the laudatory effects of exercise. Purpose: Determine the effects of; 1) time-of-day of exercise, and 2) exercise synchrony with one’s chronotype, on migraine load. Methods: Participants were 13 sedentary individuals with 8+ migraines/month (age = 30 ± 11 yrs, 167 ± 6 cm, 86 ± 28 kg). Participants were categorized into morning-/evening-types based on the Morning/Eveningness Questionnaire and instructed to complete 1 month of …

Physiological And Mechanical Comparisons Between Clipless And Flat Pedals, Katelyn Conroy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and mechanical comparisons between clipless and flat pedals. Participants (n=4) completed two at-home 20-minute FTP tests: using clipless and flat pedals using Zwift. The order of conditions were randomized for each participant. Participants used their personal Smart Trainers, clipless pedals, and cycling shoes while flat pedals were provided (Syun-LP, Road Bike Platform Pedals). Power, heart rate and cadence were recorded and used for analysis. All dependent variables were compared using paired t-tests. Power was significantly greater for clipless (226.7 ± 46.2 W) vs. flat (215.2 ± 41.8 W) pedals (p …

Description, Reliability And Validation Of A Novel Ground-Reaction-Force-Triggered Protocol For Simulation Of Tripping Perturbations During Gait, James Anderson, Samuel Hadley, Denise Ng, Catrina Fabian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Tripping is a common cause of falls across different age populations particularly in older adults. Concerns regarding the validity of simulated-fall research protocols reside in the current literature. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel treadmill-based tripping protocol that allowed researchers to deliver unanticipated tripping perturbations during walking with a high level of timing precision. The protocol utilized a side-by-side split-belt treadmill instrumented with force platforms. Treadmill belt acceleration profiles (two levels of perturbation severity: small perturbation vs large perturbation) were delivered unilaterally when the tripped leg bore 20% of the body weight during early stance. Peak …

Investigation Of Algorithms To Assess Validity Of Wearable Technology During Field Testing, Brenna Barrios

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Wearable technology is an emerging fitness trend where the technology which supports it lacks validity verification. Furthermore, heart rate validity of these devices vary greatly when observed in laboratory settings vs. field testing. Secondarily, Consumer Technology Association guidelines require a minimum five minute trial for wearable testing. This study examined heart rate data of previously tested wearable devices (Garmin Fenix 5, Jabra Elite Sport, Motiv Ring, Scosche Rhythm+) in an outdoor setting to further understand their performance, and to examine the relationship of the five minute regulation. Two separate algorithms were applied to the original data set, the first shortened …

The Influence Of Sports-Related Concussion On Lower Extremity Injury Risk In Adolescent And Collegiate Athletes, Jason M. Avedesian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sports-related concussion (SRC) represents a major epidemiological concern in the adolescent and collegiate athlete populations, with conservative estimates of approximately four million SRCs occurring each year in the United States. While the majority of previous research has emphasized the management and recovery of the cognitive aspects of SRC, recent data indicates subtle motor behavior is altered following a concussive event. Injury surveillance literature indicates that adolescent and collegiate athletes are at an approximately 2–4 greater risk for lower extremity (LE) injury following an SRC when compared to matched controls and pre-SRC LE injury rates. Furthermore, athletes with a previous SRC …

The Investigation Of The Influence Of Long-Distance Running On Foot Volume In Healthy Female Collegiate Distance Athletes, Mufaro M. Hungwe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine the change, if any, in foot volume over time after exercise, specifically a long-distance 5 Km run. Five UNLV Women’s Track & Field and Cross- Country distance athletes (n = 5; 20 ± 1.87 years; 54.50 ± 3.71 kg; 160.88 ± 4.98 cm) were recruited to participate in this study. The dependent variables were foot volume and foot size. These variables were measured pre and post a 5 Km run at a self-selected somewhat hard pace over the independent variable time. Foot volumetrics were performed five times, (Pre-run, post- run(5 min), post-run(10 …

The Effects Of Green Exercise On Perception And Connectedness To Nature, Robert W. Salatto

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation is three-fold: 1. Investigate the effects of acute beta alanine ingestion during green exercise on connectedness to nature, and perception of pain. 2. Investigate the test-retest reliability of the Love and care of Nature Scale during the task of mountain biking. 3. Investigate the effects of green exercise on connectedness to nature and perception. Methods: Three individual studies were conducted: The first was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study design which examined the effect of induced painful sensation (via acute Beta Alanine (B-ALA) ingestion) on Love and Care of Nature (LCN), heart rate (HR), rating …

Assessing The Validity And Reliability Of Several Heart Rate Monitors In Wearable Technology While Mountain Biking, Bryson Carrier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study sought to assess the validity and reliability of several heart rate (HR) monitors during mountain biking (MTB), compared to the Polar H7® HR monitor, used as the criterion device. Methods: A total of 20 participants completed two MTB trials wearing 6 HR monitors (1 criterion, 5 test devices). HR was recorded on a second-by-second basis for all devices analyzed. After data processing, validity measures were calculated, including 1. Error analysis: mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean error (ME), and 2. Correlation analysis: Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient ®. Validity …

Relationship Between Jump Performance And Asymmetry, Cordero Roche

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the relationship between jump performance and asymmetry. This investigation was divided into three separate studies. The first aim investigated which asymmetry variables for eccentric and concentric phases best predicted jump height (JH) during different jump types. The aim of the second study was to determine if asymmetry variables differed between jump type and genders.

Fourteen participants performed countermovement jumps (CMJ) and drop vertical jumps (DVJ). The DVJ were administered from a 30.5 cm platform leading with dominant leg striking separate force platforms with each foot. Vertical ground reaction forces were used to …

Patient-Specific Finite Element Analysis For Mandibular Fracture Fixation, Ethan Snyder

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis proposes an approach for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of mandibular fracture fixation. Using a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan of mandible obtained from a specific person, the material characteristics, density and modulus of elasticity, were determined from a set of discrete points within the mandible that are 1mm spaced based on the Hounsfield Units of these points. The mandible geometry was sectioned to simulate a fracture. Muscle and mastication forces were added to replicate post-surgery loading. Using a standard linear miniplate, this material model was compared with two commonly used mandibular cortical shell bone models: isotropic and orthotropic. A …

Relationship Of Shoe Wetness To Mechanical Performance, Sara Lyn Crawford

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to mechanically impact test shoes that underwent both saturation and repetitive loading protocols to determine if these interventions affected the impact absorption and energy return properties of a shoe. Six pairs of the same make and model of shoe were divided into Control and Experimental Groups and tested on an impact machine before and after undergoing a protocol. The repetitive load protocol involved subjecting the shoes to impacts commensurate with a 5 km race. The water saturation protocol involved soaking the shoes until reaching their maximum saturation. The Control shoes underwent initial testing and …

The Effect Of Body Armor On Pulmonary Function And Repeated Sprint Performance, Dustin Dunnick

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Tactical athletes face the unique task of performing physically demanding occupational duties often while wearing torso-borne loads. While pulmonary function has been shown to decrease while wearing plate-carrier style body armor, there has yet to be a study using the more accurate measurement of plethysmography to determine exactly why. Additionally, the inspiratory muscle’s pressure generation capabilities and how they respond to a repeated running sprint test while wearing body armor are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine how body armor affects pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength, and athletic performance during repeated, high-intensity sprints.

Methods: Twelve …

The Influence Of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation On Motor Function In Parkinson’S Disease, Lidio Lima De Albuquerque

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder and the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. PD is characterized by dopaminergic cell loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which leads to a reduction in dopamine in the striatum. These physiological mechanisms lead to a number of motor impairments such as bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability that severely limit the ability of individuals with PD to perform many essential daily living activities. Although current pharmacological, surgical, and physical exercise treatment approaches are valuable they are either only mildly effective, expensive, or associated with a variety of side effects. Therefore, …

Does Wearing Multiple Pairs Of Shoes Influence Injury Rates?, Julien Mihy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Running research has attempted to better understand the causes of movement-related injuries and a large segment of this research revolves around footwear and training regimens. A survey has reported lower injury rates in runners who wore multiple shoes with in a 5-month period. Previous literature lacks the analysis of variables leading to training related decisions and whether wearing multiple pairs of shoes can have an extended influence on injury rates. PURPOSE: To determine whether wearing multiple pairs of shoes has an influence on injury rates. METHODS: A survey was developed to ask participant’s injury related history along with their footwear, …

Utilizing Breathing Techniques To Maximize Training Performance, Peyton Cater

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Anaerobic exercise causes metabolic acidosis to occur in the muscle, which is unfavorable for sustaining high intensity activity, as fatigue starts to set in. In order to compensate for the onset of fatigue produced by an acidic environment, respiratory alkalosis, induced by hyperventilation, can be performed to mitigate these effects. In contrast, research has shown that slowing down the breath rate, such as a two second inhale and three second exhale, has led to an increase in performance outcomes. Purpose: To investigate power output and the physiological responses after implementation of different breathing techniques during the recovery periods of intermittent …