Kinesiology Commons^™

Association Of Various Physiological And Fitness Markers To Body Fat Percentage In Physically Inactive Adults, Anthony Mckee

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Obesity can dramatically and negatively affect many aspects of normal physiological functioning. Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive body fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used approach to quantify body fat in large group settings; however, this method has significant shortcomings with accuracy and estimation. More direct measures such as bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can provide a more reliable and accurate assessment of body fat mass and, therefore reduce the shortcomings of BMI when assessing possible associations with health- and performance-related variables. A plethora of research studies has been conducted …

The Independence Effects Of Gravitational And Inertial Forces On Gait Transitions In Humans, Nathan Frakes

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The Dynamic Similarity hypothesis suggests gravitational and inertial forces plays a role in determining preferred transition speed (PTS) for walk to run transitions (WRT) and run to walk transitions (RWT), and that humans prefer to transition gait when the ratio of inertial force (IF) to gravitational force (GF) (i.e. Froude #) is ~0.5. Purpose: To investigate the effect of gravitational and inertial forces on PTS, Froude # (Fr) and kinematics for both WRT and RWT. Methods: Twelve healthy adults (9 M, 3 F) performed WRT and RWT trials on a treadmill across seven combinations of altered body weight (BW) and …

Female Collegiate Student Athletes And The Perception, Attitudes And Experiences Of Psychological And Mental Health Services, Breonna Bejaran

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study explored eighteen National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II female student athletes’ experiences and opinions of help seeking for mental health concerns. A mixed methodological design was used. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected to gain an understanding of help seeking barriers for the participant and their beliefs about help seeking barriers for their peers. Results from the qualitative data identified several themes that assisted in understanding help seeking behaviors. Data suggest that there was a lack of motivation when it came to seek mental health services as a whole by the female student athlete population. Time, lack …

Anaerobic Capacity Measures In Healthy Active Adults Ages 18-29: Normative Reference Values And Differences Between Sex, Dylan E. Roberts

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The purpose of this study was to develop normative reference values for the modified Anaerobic Speed Test (mAST), an anaerobic capacity test that can be administered and completed on a commercial treadmill. The mAST of 15% grade has been created as one of the only protocols based on the original AST protocol of 20% grade. However, no percentile norms currently exist for this protocol, limiting its usefulness and interpretation of results. This paper presents normative values for active healthy adults ages 18-29, separated by sex. The sample consisted of 276 active healthy volunteers (161 men and 115 women). All mASTs …

Feasibility Of Quantifying The Physical Exposure Of Materials Handlers In The Workplace With Magnetic And Inertial Measurement Units, Xavier Robert-Lachaine, Christian Larue, Denys Denis, Alain Delisle, Hakim Mecheri, Philippe Corbeil, André Plamondon

Études primaires

Handling tasks can expose workers to risk factors. The objective was to describe the feasibility of using magnetic and inertial measurement units (MIMUs) to quantify the physical exposure of materials handlers in the workplace. Full-body kinematics were obtained with MIMUs on 10 handlers gathering products ordered by retailers with a pallet truck. An observer classified the visual difference (VD) of segment orientation between a MIMUs avatar and video recordings in three categories (none, minor and major) for each product transfer. The feet, arms, shoulders and head were considered similar for ≥97% of observations. The trunk segment obtained the most differences …

The Impact Of A Division I Volleyball Season On Jumping Performance, Joshua R. Pascal

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Previous research has been conducted on different performance metrics in collegiate athletes in various sports, including volleyball. These metrics include strength, speed, power output, and jump height. However, little research has examined changes in seasonal jumping performance in volleyball athletes on a weekly basis. Purpose: To examine how Division I Volleyball jumping performance is affected by a competitive season. Methods: 11 female volleyball athletes from one NCAA Division I institution wore VERT sensors during practices for the entire 15-week competitive season. The athletes also completed countermovement Jump Mat testing on the first practice of the week, with the exception of …

Mechanisms Of Hamstring Strain Injury: Interactions Between Fatigue, Muscle Activation And Function, Shaun Huygaerts, Francesc Cos, Daniel D. Cohen, Julio Calleja-Gonzalez, Marc Guitart, Anthony J. Blazevich, Pedro E. Alcarez

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Isolated injury to the long head of biceps femoris is the most common type of acute hamstring strain injury (HSI). However, the precise hamstring injury mechanism (i.e., sprint-type) is still not well understood, and research is inconclusive as to which phase in the running cycle HSI risk is the greatest. Since detailed information relating to hamstring muscle function during sprint running cannot be obtained in vivo in humans, the findings of studies investigating HSI mechanisms are based on modeling that requires assumptions to be made based on extrapolations from anatomical and biomechanical investigations. As it is extremely difficult to account …

When Task Constraints Delimit Movement Strategy: Implications For Isolated Joint Training In Dancers, Paige E. Rice, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Athletic performance is determined by numerous variables that cannot always be controlled or modified. Due to aesthetic requirements during sports such as dance, body alignment constrains possible movement solutions. Increased power transference around the ankle-joint, coupled with lower hip-joint power, has become a preferential strategy in dancers during leaps and may be considered a dance-specific stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) demand. Newell's theoretical model of interacting constraints includes organismic (or individual), environmental, and task constraints describing the different endogenous and exogenous constraints individuals must overcome for movement and athletic performance. The unique task constraints imposed during dance will be used as a …

The Relationship Between Isometric Force-Time Characteristics And Dynamic Performance: A Systematic Review, Danny Lum, G. Gregory Haff, Tiago M. Barbosa

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The purpose of this article was to review the data on the relationship between multi-joint isometric strength test (IsoTest) force-time characteristics (peak force, rate of force development and impulse) and dynamic performance that is available in the current literature. Four electronic databases were searched using search terms related to IsoTest. Studies were considered eligible if they were original research studies that investigated the relationships between multi-joint IsoTest and performance of dynamic movements; published in peer-reviewed journals; had participants who were athletes or active individuals who participate in recreational sports or resistance training, with no restriction on sex; and had full …

An Ecological Momentary Assessment Of Self-Improved And Self-Evaluation Body Comparisons: Associations With College Women's Body Dissatisfaction And Exercise, Rachel I. Macintyre, Kristin E. Heron, Abby L. Braitman, Danielle Arigo

Psychology Faculty Publications

Upward body comparisons are prevalent among college women and associated with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, less is known about distinguishing features of the comparisons themselves as they occur in daily life. The primary purpose of the present study was to examine whether two types of upward body comparisons previously studied experimentally (self-improvement and self-evaluation) are differentially associated with body- and exercise-related outcomes in real-life settings using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Undergraduate women (N = 74) between 18-25 years (Mage = 20.4, SD = 1.63) completed five surveys on smartphones daily for seven days. EMA measures …

Impact Of A Multimodal Exercise Program On Tibial Bone Health In Adolescents With Development Coordination Disorder: An Examination Of Feasibility And Potential Efficacy, Jocelyn L. Tan, Aris Siafarikas, Timo Rantalainen, Nicolas H. Hart, Fleur Mcintyre, Beth Hands, Paola Chivers

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020, International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. All rights reserved. Objectives: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) compromises bone health purportedly due to lower levels of physical activity. The potential of an exercise intervention to improve bone health parameters in adolescents with DCD has not previously been studied. This study thus aimed to determine the impact of a multimodal exercise intervention on bone health in this population at-risk of secondary osteoporosis. Methods: Twenty-eight adolescents (17 male, 11 female) aged between 12-17 years (Mage =14.1) with DCD participated in a twice weekly, 13-week generalised multimodal exercise intervention. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography …

Order Of Same-Day Concurrent Training Influences Some Indices Of Power Development, But Not Strength, Lean Mass, Or Aerobic Fitness In Healthy, Moderately-Active Men After 9 Weeks Of Training, Matthew J.C. Lee, James K. Ballantyne, Javier Chagolla, William G. Hopkins, Jackson J. Fyfe, Stuart M. Phillips, David J. Bishop, Jonathan Bartlett

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The importance of concurrent exercise order for improving endurance and resistance adaptations remains unclear, particularly when sessions are performed a few hours apart. We investigated the effects of concurrent training (in alternate orders, separated by ~3 hours) on endurance and resistance training adaptations, compared to resistance-only training. Materials and methods: Twenty-nine healthy, moderately-active men (mean ± SD; age 24.5 ± 4.7 y; body mass 74.9 ± 10.8 kg; height 179.7 ± 6.5 cm) performed either resistance-only training (RT, n = 9), or same-day concurrent training whereby high-intensity interval training was performed either 3 hours before (HIIT+RT, n = 10) …

Kinematic And Coordination Variability In Runners With And Without Patellofemoral Pain, Jessica Mutchler, Klarie Macias, Barry Munkasy, Samuel J. Wilson, John C. Garner Iii, Li Li

Health Sciences & Kinesiology: Faculty Publications

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common overuse injury that has been suggested to cause abnormal gait kinematics and variability in runners with PFP. Conflicting results have been presented as to the variability of joint kinematics and joint coordination. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the variability of lower extremity kinematics and joint coordination in the presence of PFP and exertion. Methods: Six female runners with PFP and matched controls (CON) ran at a self-selected pace on an instrumented treadmill until exertion or pain criteria was met. Sixteen anatomical retroreflective markers and seven tracking clusters were placed …

Spinal Motor Neuron Excitability And Balance Control Changes Following Downslope Walking, Nikki Aitcheson-Huehn

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Downslope walking (DSW) has been proposed as a rehabilitation tool for people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) although there are mixed findings in young adults (YA) regarding the balance control changes, despite both populations experiencing depressed spinal motor neuron (MN) pool excitability. Our aim was to determine whether YAs could demonstrate improved balance control in conjunction with SOL H reflex depression (estimate of spinal MN excitability) following DSW. We also aimed to determine whether reciprocal inhibition was a potential mechanism for H reflex depression via conditioned SOL H reflexes. Thirty young adults (23±1.4y, 6 males) were assigned to 30-minutes of DSW …

A Qualitative Investigation Into The Influence Of A Mental Health Physical Activity Intervention On University Students, Heather M. Tunks

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Among the university student population, mental illnesses are highly prevalent. Adults aged 20-30 years have the highest rates of mood and anxiety disorders than any other age group, with approximately 12.0% diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and 7.0 to 9.0% experiencing clinical depression (Nunes et al., 2014; Pedrelli, Nyer, Yeung, Zulauf, & Wilens, 2015). Reducing or preventing the effects of mental illness among this population may have lifelong implications including improvements in coping and management of mental illness throughout the lifespan(Jaworska, DeSomma, Fonseka, Heck, & MacQueen, 2016). This research examines the lived experiences of volunteers and participants in a …

Gait Entrainment In Coupled Oscillator Systems: Clarifying The Role Of Energy Optimization In Human Walking, Ryan T. Schroeder

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Empirical evidence suggests that parameters of human gait (e.g. step frequency, step length) tend to minimize energy expenditure. However, it is unclear if individuals can adapt to dynamic environments in real time, i.e. continuously optimize energy expenditure, and to what extent. Two coupled oscillator systems were used to test the learned interactions of individuals within dynamic environments: (1) experienced farmworkers carrying oscillating loads on a flexible bamboo pole and (2) individuals walking on a treadmill while strapped to a mechatronics oscillator system providing periodic forces to the body. Reductionist trajectory optimization models predicted energy-minimizing gait interactions within the coupled oscillator …

Physiological And Psychological Responses To Six Weeks Of High-Intensity Interval And Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training In Physically Inactive Young Adults, Emily R. Dunston

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed as a public health strategy to promote physical activity; yet, there is limited evidence examining factors related to adherence to HIIT.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of six weeks of HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on physiological and psychological responses to training.

METHODS: Physically inactive young adults (n = 20; age = 21.4 ± 2.2 years) were randomized to the HIIT or MICT group. Assessments of body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior levels were completed prior to and following the intervention. Participants completed 18 training sessions …

Sport Specialization And Its Effects On Collegiate Athlete Injury Rate, Alexander Duane Yager

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Lower Extremity Strength And Strength Symmetry Among U.S. Ski Team Sports, Benjamin J. Adams

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Most research in ski sports performance, injury, and sport physiological demands focuses on alpine ski racing. Very little research is available describing aerial and moguls ski competitors. Purpose: Compare lower extremity strength limb symmetry index (LSI) and relative strength (RS) among alpine, mogul, and aerials ski competitors. Methods: Archival data from 156 males and females from the U.S. Ski Team at Olympic, World Cup, and national levels were analyzed to compare RS and LSI among ski sports. Strength data consisted of maximal isometric bilateral squat strength values from each leg independently. A 3x2x2 factorial ANOVA was conducted to determine differences …

The Effect Of Acute Fatigue On Reactive Strength Index In Modern Dancers, Jordan Tingman

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute fatigue on stretch shortening cycle (SSC) performance measured by the Reactive Strength Index (RSI) derived from a drop jump. Methods: Twelve professional modern dancers (8 female, 4 male) participated in this study. Two force plates were utilized to record the force-time data during drop jumps (DJ) before and after an acute, fatiguing protocol. Dancers performed a 5-10 minute self-selected warm up followed by 3-5 practice trials of DJs onto the force plates. Three trials were recorded from each dancer with 30-60 seconds (s) of rest between trials. …

The Nature Of Informal Roles In Interdependent Sport Teams, Jeemin Kim

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The degree to which athletes understand and execute their formal role responsibilities (i.e., prescribed by coaches) is important for individual and group functioning (Eys, Schinke, Surya, & Benson, 2014). Recent literature suggested that informal roles can emerge within sport teams more naturally without coaches’ explicit assignments (e.g., team comedians, distracters), and have significant influences on team functioning (Cope, Eys, Beauchamp, Schinke, & Bosselut, 2011). This doctoral dissertation examined the nature of informal roles within interdependent sport teams, focusing on their antecedents and outcomes. Three separate projects were conducted. Project One examined athletes’ personality in the big five dimensions (McCrae & …

“This Is My Little World…”: Navigating The Group Exercise Experience Of Stay-Fit Members, Olivia Jones

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, with one in two Canadians expected to develop cancer over their lifetime (Canadian Cancer Society, 2019). Exercise is reportedly a safe therapy to help ease the common side effects of cancer and its treatments (Schmitz et al., 2010). Past research has shown the benefits of group exercise while in treatment for cancer, but there is a dearth of research regarding the impact of long-term group exercise programming for cancer survivors. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of group exercise participation for individuals who previously had cancer and were enrolled …

Examining Disability In The Region Of Waterloo: Physical Activity Programming And Caregiving, Nicole J. Reinders Luymes

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Physical activity (PA) is a necessary component of wellbeing for individuals with and without disabilities. Disabled young people experience many barriers to PA, resulting in inactive lifestyles that compound health issues and hinder their full participation in schools and communities. The following dissertation includes a literature review regarding the effects of PA for young people with a variety of developmental disabilities, in addition to three research studies examining community-based PA programming, and one study exploring the lived experiences of caregivers, all within the Region of Waterloo.

The first study was a needs assessment to examine PA perceptions, practices, barriers, and …

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Inhibition Differentially Impacts Intervertebral Disc Axial Mechanics In Wild Type And Sparc-Null Mice, Mitch Whittal

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Study Design. In vivo examination of the influence of TAK-242 (resatorvid) treatment on the mechanical properties of the intervertebral disc (IVD) in secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) gene knockout (SPARC-null) mice.

Objectives. To examine if chronic TAK-242 treatment mitigates mechanical degradation associated with IVD degeneration in SPARC-null mice.

Summary of Background data. IVD degeneration is associated with low back pain (LBP) and is accompanied by mechanical changes to the spine. SPARC is a protein that contributes to the functioning and maintenance of the extracellular matrix (ECM), with SPARC-null mice displaying accelerated IVD degeneration. TAK-242 is a toll-like …

Examining The Effect Of Exercise Intensity On Post-Exercise Hypotension In Middle-Aged Adults, Seth F. Mccarthy

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Acute bouts of exercise have a transient lowering effect on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the hours after termed post-exercise hypotension (PEH). While moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) is effective in reducing BP acutely, little is known regarding the effects of higher intensity exercise. This study examined the effects of different exercise intensities on PEH. Six participants (females: 4; age: 48±9 y, Mean arterial pressure: 84±8 mmHg) had their BP measured before and both immediately post- (<2 h) and for 24 h following 4 experimental sessions: 1) 30 min MICT (65% V̇O_2max); 2) 20 min high-intensity interval training (HIIT; 10 x 1 min @ 90% HR_max with 1 …

Fall Reading Week: Exploring The Effects On Student Well-Being, Roobina Medhizadah

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Mental health is a concerning issue in post-secondary institutions across Ontario. Post-secondary students are challenged with many stressors such as time management and living independently for the first time (Wagner & Rhee, 2013). In an attempt to help students, maintain or improve their mental health, universities across Ontario have implemented fall reading week, a mid-semester break (Poole et al., 2017). Previous studies (Cramer & Pschibul, 2017; Poole et al., 2017) provided mixed results in whether fall reading week positively influences student mental health and well-being. To date, few studies have explored the influence of fall reading week on student health …

Effects Of An Acute Session Of High- Vs Low-Load Resistance Training Exercise On Energy Balance, Daniel Grisebach, Derek Pd Bornath, Abigail A. Broad, Seth F. Mccarthy, Tom J. Hazell

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study examined the effect of an acute session of low-load high-volume resistance training versus a more traditional high-load low-volume session on energy balance (EB). Five recreationally active males (age: 24±3 y; BMI: 25.8±1.5 kgm^-2) completed three different sessions: 1) high-load (90% 1RM); 2) low-load (30% 1RM); and 3) CTRL (no exercise). Gas exchange (V̇O₂), blood lactate, and subjective appetite perceptions were measured before each session, as well as at 0, 1, and 2 h post-exercise. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the quadriceps, pectorals, hamstrings, deltoids, and latissimus dorsi was measured at 24 and 48 …

Recoverability Of Large Vs Small Muscle Groups, Jacob Alan Clark

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in recovery between muscles with larger cross-sectional area (Quadriceps) compared to muscles with smaller cross-sectional area (Biceps). Recreationally trained male weight lifters aged 18-30 (n = 9) volunteered in this muscle recovery study. All participants were asked to attend two testing sessions in addition to an initial meeting, all of which took no more than 45-mintues per session to complete. After this initial session where the 10 RM in the biceps curl and quadricep extension were determined, participants were scheduled to perform the biceps curl and quad extension for four sets …

Exploring Upper Limb Sequence Behaviours In Egocentric And Allocentric Reference Frames, Robyn Brooke Grunberg

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Voluntary behaviours, such as reaching, are essential for manipulating and exploring our environment. The current body of literature, however, has predominantly investigated reach behaviours through tasks such as peg-moving, tapping, dotting, and circle drawing. The objective of this study was to investigate the order and direction of reaching behaviours in a sequential tapping task in both an egocentric and an allocentric reference frame. Gaze behaviours were observed to explore intent to reach in the sequential task. Implementing reference frames in an upper limb motor control task might be of clinical importance when exploring rehabilitation techniques post-traumatic brain injury. It was …

Biomarkers Of Inflammation In Heart Failure Patients With Reduced And Preserved Ejection Fractions: Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Michelle Lynne Stone

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose Examine the relationships between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 (sTNF-R1) and the cumulative risk of heart failure with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fractions in a diverse, population-based sample. Methods Study sample included 6,814 adult (45-84 years of age) men and women who participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Cox regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) associated with elevated baseline hs-CRP (> 3-10 mg/L), IL-6 (> 75^th percentile) and sTNF-R1 (> 75^th percentile) and risk of overall …