Kinesiology Commons^™

Muscle Activity And Power Output Between Stationary And Outdoor Cycling, Jared Joerger

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to compare lower extremity muscle activity and power output during cycling outdoors overground and cycling on a stationary bike trainer at different self-perceived intensity levels. Recreational and competitive cyclists and triathletes, eight male (48.6±8.7 years, 178.9±7.8 cm, 87.1±8.3kg) and three female (40.3±6.8 years, 158±1 cm, 59.6±9.3 kg), signed institutionally approved informed consents and participated in this study. Power data were collected using power instrumented bicycle pedals (PowerTap, Madison, WI) attached to the cyclist’s bicycle. Muscle activity was recorded using wireless electromyography (Delsys, Inc., Natick, MA) sampling at 1926Hz. Participants were tested for maximum voluntary …

The Acute Effects Of Different Foam Rolling Timing Durations On Hamstring Flexibility, Chloe Marie Kipnis

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The use of a foam roller is growing in popularity as a part of a warm-up in order to prepare for activity. The current research, however, lacks an accepted timing duration for how long an athlete should foam roll prior to activity in order to increase range of motion (ROM). In order to guide clinical practice, it is necessary to establish a standard for how long an athlete should foam roll a muscle group with the goal to increase ROM. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare hamstring flexibility changes following a single foam rolling bout, performed for …

The Effect Of Moderate Consumption Of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners On Glucose Tolerance And Body Composition In Rats, Ashley Power Tovar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Effect of Moderate Consumption Of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners On Glucose Tolerance And Body Composition In Rats

by Ashley Tovar

John C. Young, Ph.D., Examination Committee Chair Professor, Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Introduction: A comorbidity often seen with obesity is the development of impaired glucose tolerance. Abnormalities in the ability to metabolize glucose can lead to increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and if continued, diabetes mellitus type 2. To combat the effects of excess energy intake on obesity and glucose intolerance, low- energy and non-nutritive sweeteners have been introduced as a replacement for traditional sucrose and …

Examining The Effects Of Body Weight Support And Speed On Physiological Measures And Lower Leg Muscular Activity, Michael Thomas Soucy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine if body weight support or speed influences specific physiological and biomechanical parameters while running at a preferred pace, or variations of preferred pace. Nine participants (age: 28.56 ± 7.88 years, height: 1.68 ± 0.08 cm, mass: 65.70 ± 7.64 kg) who were running a minimum of 10 miles per week (14.67 ± 4.92 miles) were recruited for participation. Participants were asked to sign an institutionally approved informed consent form upon arrival to the lab. After determining preferred running speed at each body weight support condition (no support, 10%, and 20% support), participants …

Post-Concussion Symptom Reporting: Is Gender A Factor In The Adolescent Population? A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jessica Dunne

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The participation in high school athletics among the adolescent population has continued to rise over the past few years. Concussion research has grown and evolved due to an increase in awareness of the seriousness of this injury based on the increase in quantity studies being produced. The research conducted to determine if differences occur between high school athletes and collegiate athletes and if a difference is observed between the genders, has being to grow. Although there has been an increase in research for this injury, the understanding of how this injury affects the adolescent population and how this injury differs …

Investigation Of Sequential Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Effect On Run Performance, Max Evan Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The main aim of this study was to determine if IPC after a 5000 m run influences maximal effort 1600 m run performance. A secondary purpose was to determine if the level of IPC pressure used influences run performance. Nine subjects (6 male and 3 female were included in the study; 30 years±5.19 years; Height 173.72cm±8.25; Weight; 72.54±9.97 kg). These subjects were recruited to be in this study via word of mouth or social media advertisement in the Las Vegas area. Participant inclusion criteria was 18- 50 year old apparently healthy, had been running a minimum of 20 miles a …

Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation For Motor Skill Acquisition In A Throwing Task, Austuny Jackson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique in which a very weak electrical current is applied to the scalp to either increase (anodal stimulation) or decrease (cathodal stimulation) the excitability of a selected brain region, most commonly the motor cortex. tDCS is a promising intervention that can modulate cortical excitability, enhance motor learning, and improve motor function in healthy subjects, older adults, stroke patients, Parkinson’s disease, and in other cognitive and motor disorders. Recently, cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (c-tDCS) has started to be examined using similar protocols as existing ones used in studies of tDCS …

Vitamin D Status And Bone Mineral Density In Female Collegiate Dancers And Cheerleaders, Tara Sue Kenny

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: An athlete’s bone mineral density reflects their cumulative history of energy availability, physical activity, genetic predisposition for bone health, and menstrual status, as well as nutritional, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Purpose: To determine if bone mineral density (BMD) and nutritional factors in bone health are different in two groups of female athletes who have comparable body size/weight requirements, but who engage in qualitatively different training regimens.

Methods: Participants were female collegiate athletes who were members of the UNLV Dance team (n=10) or Cheer team (n=9), ages 18-22. Participants vitamin D status was assessed by obtaining a finger prick sample …

The Influence Of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation On Motor Skill Acquisition And Learning In A Modified Golf Putting Task, Lidio Lima De Albuquerque

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) that has been shown to increase motor performance in simple motor tasks. The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of tRNS on motor skill acquisition and learning in a complex, modified golf putting task in young adults. Twenty-four (n = 12 per group) healthy young adult males were allocated to either a tRNS group or a SHAM stimulation group. Both groups performed 6 trials of the golf putting task in a baseline testing block, followed by 4 practice blocks of 15 trials. The …

Comparing Functional Motor Control And Gait Parameters In Children With Autism To Those Of Age-Matched Peers Who Are Typically Developing, Patricia Stevenson, Samantha Novotny, Jillian May, Christopher Ancell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare motor performance of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to that of age-matched peers who are typically developing (TD) on motor control tasks plus symmetry and variability of gait parameters across four walking conditions. A sample of convenience of children with ASD (n=6) and peers who are TD (n=6) were recruited. Motor control was assessed using initiation and completion times on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Gait parameters were collected using a computerized walkway under four trial conditions: 1) walking at self-selected velocity (SSV); 2) walking during a tray-carrying task …

Changes In Sprint Kinetics Or Kinematics Following Static Or Dynamic Stretching, Kristyne Bartel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of static or dynamic stretching on hip kinematics and kinetics during intermittent sprinting. To achieve this aim, intermittent sprint athletes were asked to complete either a static or dynamic stretch, followed by a repeated-sprint protocol. Hip joint kinematics and performance measures were evaluated during the sprint, including changes that occurred in these variables over the course of the sprint protocol. In addition, hip flexion torque was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. Ten male (age = 25±2.3 years, 175±3.2 cm, 76.2±2.7 kg) and female (age = 20±1 years, 166±1.3 cm, 60±1.1 …

Reliability Of A Multisegment Foot Model In Shod Running, Austin Coupe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine kinematic and marker placement reliability of the Leardini multisegment foot model (LMFM) for tracking foot kinematics during barefoot and shod running without alteration of footwear. Eleven participants, five males (25.6±5 yrs, 73±15.8 kg, 1.75±0.05m) and six females (22.5±2.9 yrs, 66.6±7.2 kg, 1.71±0.05 m) granted institutionally approved written consent to participate. Three-dimensional motion capture (10 Vicon T40-S cameras) was used to capture kinematic data at 200Hz. Kinetic data was captured with an in-ground force platform (Kistler Instruments AG, Switzerland Model 9281B 60x40cm, 2000Hz). Participants were instructed to run at 3.5m/s ±5%. Velocity was …

Athletes’ Perceptions Of Athletic Trainers Quality Of Care, Chadley Foster

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to explore student athletes’ perceived satisfaction of care from certified and licensed athletic trainers (ATC) and satisfaction of care between full time and graduate student ATCs at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (n=61). Studies identify satisfaction as a method to measure quality of care and its influence on many aspects of athletes’ success including health outcomes. This is the first study that evaluated multiple aspects of care including type and length of sport participation, academic class status, number of ATCs seen, primary ATC (graduate or full time), number of interactions with primary ATC, injury, …

Comparison Of Muscle Latencies For Diabetic Neuropathy Patients Versus Healthy Controls During A Perturbed Balance Task, Kyle Mefferd

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare muscle latencies for patients diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy versus healthy controls during a perturbed balance task, with a secondary purpose to distinguish postural control strategies the groups used based on the muscle latencies. Five participants diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy (DN; 4 male, 99.7 ± 7.95 kg, 176 ± 9.58 cm, 46.6 ± 16.55 years) and 5 healthy control (HC; 4 male, 100.36 ± 12.61 kg, 173.76 ± 9.66 cm, 47 ± 13.42 years) participants were recruited. Participants granted institutionally approved written consent before participating. Delsys Trigino Wireless EMG sensors were placed on …

Validation And Reliability Of The Hexoskin And Fitbit Flex Wearable Bio Collection Devices, Jeffrey Montes

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Hexoskin shirt and the wrist worn Fitbit Flex activity monitor were both valid and reliable for the physiological functions they were designed to monitor. Heart rate (beats·min-1), respiratory rate (breaths·min-1), step count, and energy expenditure results were collected for the Hexoskin. Step count and energy expenditure were collected for the Fitbit Flex. 49 adolescent participants performed a walking treadmill protocol at 1.5 mph, 2.5 mph, and 3.5 mph for 3 minutes at each speed. 46 subjects returned to perform the same protocol a second time. 31 of the participants were …

An Evaluation Of Select Physical Activity Exercise Classes (Pex) On Bone Mineral Density, Tori Michelle Stone

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

INTRODUCTION: According to the National Institute of Health consensus, Osteoporosis causes premature disability in approximately 44 million people (National Institute of Health [NIH], 2001), 80% of this population being women (Ulrich, Georgiou, Gillis, & Snow, 1999). This chronic disease causes 1.5 million fractures annually, 700,000 occurring at the spine (NIH, 2001). One prevention technique developed in recent years is to build a high peak bone mass during growth and in young adult life (Almstedt, Canepa, Ramirez, & Shoepe, 2011). Several publications positively correlate an increase in BMD with increased amounts of exercise. Bone mineral density can be observed through DEXA …

Investigating Single-Leg Landing Strategies And Movement Control Across Changes In Task Demands, Andrew D. Nordin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Variability is an intrinsic characteristic of human movement, with hypothesized connections to neuromotor functioning and mechanisms of injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in movement variability among kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic (EMG) variables following mechanical task demand manipulations during single-leg drop landings. Biomechanical outcome variables included 3 kinematic (sagittal, hip, knee, and ankle angles), 4 kinetic (sagittal hip, knee, ankle moments and vertical ground reaction force; GRFz), and 5 EMG variables (gluteus maximus, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles). Mechanical task demands were altered using load and landing height manipulations, computed as …

Oral Vs. Nasal Breathing During Submaximal Aerobic Exercise, Chase Ovila Platt Lacomb

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

When comparing oral breathing versus nasal breathing more volume of air can be transported through the oral passageway, but nasal breathing can lead to slower respiration rates and cleaner inspired air. The purpose of this study is to find the most efficient mode of breathing during different intensities of submaximal aerobic exercise. There were 9 males and 10 females that completed this study. First test was a VO₂ Max test, 3.0 mph for 3 minutes, with increases in 1.0 mph every minute after that. Using a regression equation running speeds were determined for each individual’s submaximal intensities. The desire …

Postural Sway And Brain Hemispheric Power Spectral Density Under Different Attentional Focus Conditions, Sharon Jalene

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences, if any, in the root mean square error (RMSE) of postural sway and hemispheric power spectral density (PSD) in the alpha and beta bands (8-12Hz and 12-25Hz) during different conditions of attentional focus (i.e., internal focus (IF), and external focus (EF) and a control condition (C)). Previous studies have shown that the adoption of IF and EF significantly alter motor performance and that EF promotes automaticity (Wulf, 2013). Sports performance and balance studies utilizing EEG spectral analyses report increased alpha oscillations during expert performance and stable balance and increased beta …

Application Of The Transtheoretical Model: Assessing Exercise Behavior In African Americans In A Church-Based Setting, Robin Marie White

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sedentary behavior rates are higher among African-American men and women than in other American races and ethnicities, placing them at greater risk for chronic illness. Routine physical activity reduces the risk of chronic health problems such as: (a) overweight and obesity, (b) type 2 diabetes, (c) hypertension, (d) coronary artery disease, (e) stroke, (f) congestive heart failure, and (g) cancers. Assessment of African-Americans' exercise attitudes in a church-based setting may provide information with which to develop effective interventions to improve physical activity. This descriptive, cross-sectional study used components of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to assess whether any associations exist between …

The Interrelationships Among A Concussion-Related Biomarker, Head Hits, And Impact Test In Collegiate Football Players, Lucas Bianco

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Head injuries are prevalent in collegiate athletics with concussions being common among contact sports, such as football. Concussion assessment and diagnosis is complicated by the lack of objective and assessment techniques. The purpose of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between the level of a concussion-related biomarker, self-report (subjective) head hits, video-analyzed head hits, and ImPACT test scores in college football athletes before and after a football practice session.

After being recruited and consented to participate, 29 Division I college football athletes provided a blood sample via finger stick two days before a 2014 spring football …

Stride Length-Speed Relationship During Body Weight Supported Running, Carmen Chona

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine if body weight support influences the stride length-speed relationship. Additionally, the purpose was to determine if impact characteristics of running are influenced by body weight support and speed. Subjects (n=10; 6 female, 4 male) volunteered to participate in this study. All subjects were injury free and were comfortable running on a treadmill for 30 minutes. Subjects ran on a lower body positive (LBPP, Alter-G, G-Trainer) treadmill for 4 conditions of body weight (100, 40, 30 and 20% of body weight) and 4 running speeds (100, 110, 120 and 130% of the preferred …

An Evaluation Of Kinematic Variables During Stance Phase Of A Training Endurance Run, Joshua Paul Bailey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of the study was to evaluate kinematics of the lower extremity during the stance phase of an endurance training run. Fifteen participants (8 male, 7 female; 30.5 ± 8.4 years; 71.8 ± 11 kg; 1.73 ± 0.07 m) reported that they were currently signed up for, or planned on signing up for, an endurance race within the next six months of participation in the study (9 half marathon, 3 marathon, 1 triathlon, 2 21k trail run). All had a weekly running mileage greater than 20 miles (23.8 ±4.6 miles). Participants were required to complete the 15–kilometer training run …

Modeling And Development Of Human Interface For Pedestrian Simulator, Romesh Khaddar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

According to Traveler opinion and perception survey of 2005, 107.4 million Americans use walking as regular mode of travel, which amounts to 51% of American population. In 2009, 4092 pedestrian fatalities have been reported nationwide with a fatality rate of 1.33 which totals 59,000 crashes. Also, pedestrians are over represented in crash data by accounting more than 12% of fatalities but on 10.9% of trips. This makes a perfect case for understanding the causes behind such statistics, calling for a continuous research on pedestrians walking behavior and their interactions with surroundings.

Current research in pedestrian simulation focuses on surveys and …

25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Igf-1, And Waist Circumference A Cross-Sectional Study, Damon Mccune

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Waist circumference has been shown to have a link to various forms of chronic disease and low levels of Vitamin D (25(OH)D) and IGF-1. The purpose of this study is to assess if there is a relationship with Vitamin D (25(OH)D) and IGF-1 levels and waist circumference.

Methods: As part of a cross-sectional correlation study, participants were males and females (n=26), ages 25-65, who were students at UNLV and/or individuals who attend local health and wellness facilities as well as attendees of classes held by the UNLV Nutrition Center. Participants reported to UNLV to review and sign informed consent …

Acute Testosterone Responses To Different Resistance Exercise Intensities, Robert Rietjens

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

We investigated the acute testosterone response to four different resistance-training protocols. We observed testosterone levels pre-workout, immediately post-workout, and 60-minutes post-workout following a bout of upper body exercise at 70%,1 RM, 90% 1 RM, and lower body exercise at 70% 1 RM and 90% 1 RM. Total training volume was held constant but all amount of weight, sets, and reps were different. 10 healthy, male, resistance trained individuals volunteered for the study. The performed each exercise condition on separate days. Capillary blood was taken via finger prick at the time points specified above. Blood samples were analyzed via Accubind Testosterone …

The Percussionist Bodybuilder: Optimizing Performance Through Exercise And Nutrition, Anthony Joseph Merlino

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Do preventive therapies have the potential to help avoid common injuries among percussionists? This document investigates physiological therapy and nutrition in relation to percussion performance. My interest in this subject matter is derived from my personal experiences with injuries related to the performance of percussion. Although I have studied and played percussion professionally for more than a decade, I was unaware of certain methods of rehabilitation that were available to me prior to my injuries. As I learned about the rehabilitation process through first hand experience, I discovered that my injuries were very common among percussionists. This raised the question: …

A Comparative Evaluation Of The Effects Of Incline On Kinematics And Muscle Function During Backward Walking, Daniel Brent Jensen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate lower extremity kinematics and muscle activation patterns in inclined backward walking (IBW) versus traditional backward walking (BW). This purpose was achieved by evaluating performance of individuals walking backward on a treadmill at inclines of 0%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12%. Eleven participants (24.9 ± 4.8 yrs, 71.9 ± 11.6 kg, 1.7 ± 0.09m) recruited from the UNLV student body went through a familiarization training program before any data were collected. The familiarization training, which took place across 3 different days, served to: 1) help the participants become comfortable and familiar with BW …

The Wetsuit Effect: Physiological Response To Wearing A Wetsuit, Aaron Prado

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing a wetsuit on resting cardiovascular parameters (mean arterial pressure (MAP), rate-pressure product (RPP), and heart rate variability (HRV)). Furthermore, the position (i.e., upright vs. prone) as well as the wetsuit size were explored as possible factors that influence the cardiovascular parameters. Twelve male participants (79.1±5.1 kg, 178.4±2.9 cm, 33.3±12.1 years) granted written consent and were assigned two wetsuits based on height, weight, and corresponding manufacturer recommendations. SWS signified the smallest possible wetsuit the subject could fit into according to recommendations, LWS signified the largest wetsuit the subject could …

Salivary Alpha-Amylase As An Indicator Of Body Stress Following An Acute Session Of Repetitive Jumping, Shaelee Allen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Determining body stress levels is important when developing training programs for athletes and rehab facilities. Stress levels during exercise are commonly measured using heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO₂), and blood biomarkers. These collection measures involve training on the part of the data collector and the participant, are invasive, and themselves elicit some stress. The purpose of this study is to test whether a 10-min repetitive jumping session will cause a significant increase in salivary alpha-amylase, a potential stress biomarker. This study also looks to determine if a 20-min recovery is enough time for amylase levels to return to …