Kinesiology Commons^™

Momentum, Rather Than Velocity, Is A More Effective Measure Of Improvements In Division Ia Football Player Performance, J. Bryan Mann, Jerry L. Mayhew, Marcel Lopes Dos Santos, J. Jay Dawes, Joseph F. Signorile

Faculty Publications - Kinesiology and Recreation

Speed, or the time to complete straight runs or agility drills, is commonly used to assess performance in collegiate American football players. However, it is common for players' speeds to plateau by the second year of eligibility, whereas their body masses continue to increase. The purpose of this study was to track change in speed, body mass, and momentum (body mass · velocity), across Division 1 football players' 4-year careers (n = 512). Complete data were derived for the 40-yd sprint (n = 82), the proagility shuttle (n = 73), and the L drill (n = 73) from the same …

Differences In Stronger Versus Weaker Firefighters In Selected Measures Of Power, Quincy Johnson, J. Jay Dawes, Melissa Uftring, Marcel Lopes Dos Santos, Davis Hale, Gabriel J. Sanders, Will Peveler, Roger O. Kollock

Faculty Publications - Kinesiology and Recreation

Firefighters are required to perform a wide array of physically demanding job tasks, such as forcible entry, charged hose advances and victim extractions. An adequate level of muscular strength and power are required to successfully perform these tasks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in stronger and weaker firefighters in measures of power. Archived data for twenty-seven (age = 34.3 ± 7.9 yr, body height = 176.3 ± 7.2 cm, body mass = 89.4 ± 15.7 kg) full-time firefighters were analyzed. Participants were placed into one of two groups [i.e., stronger (HIGH) (n = 13) …

Assessment Of Physical Fitness During Pregnancy: Validity And Reliability Of Fitness Tests, And Relationship With Maternal And Neonatal Health - A Systematic Review., Lidia Romero-Gallardo, Olga Roldan Reoyo, Jose Castro-Piñero, Linda E May, Olga Ocón-Hernández, Michelle F Mottola, Virginia A Aparicio, Alberto Soriano-Maldonado

Kinesiology Publications

Objectives: To systematically review studies evaluating one or more components of physical fitness (PF) in pregnant women, to answer two research questions: (1) What tests have been employed to assess PF in pregnant women? and (2) What is the validity and reliability of these tests and their relationship with maternal and neonatal health?

Design: A systematic review.

Data sources: PubMed and Web of Science.

Eligibility criteria: Original English or Spanish full-text articles in a group of healthy pregnant women which at least one component of PF was assessed (field based or laboratory tests).

Results: A total of 149 articles containing …

Differential Behaviour Of Distinct Motoneuron Pools That Innervate The Triceps Surae, Josh W. Cohen, Taian M. Vieira, Tanya D. Ivanova, Jayne Garland

Kinesiology Publications

It has been shown that when humans lean in various directions, the central nervous system (CNS) recruits different motoneuron pools for task completion; common units that are active during different leaning directions, and unique units that are active in only one leaning direction. We used high-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) to examine if motor unit (MU) firing behaviour was dependent on leaning direction, muscle (medial and lateral gastrocnemius; soleus), limits of stability, or whether a MU is considered common or unique. Fourteen healthy participants stood on a force platform and maintained their center of pressure in five different leaning directions. HD-sEMG …

Development And Preliminary Testing Of A Walkassist Device With Dynamic Support, Simon Detmer, Gita Regmi, Kaitlyn Boellner, Ann Reinthal, Hanz Richter

Summer Research

In the past decade, usage of walking aids in the senior population has increased by 50 percent and is expected to double by 20501 . Walkers are used as a temporary aid to encourage mobility after surgery or fracture, but they often become permanent aids2 . In the United States, about 12 percent of the elderly population use walkers1. Walkers are prescribed to reduce the load on lower limbs and/or to improve balance and stability. However, longer usage of walkers leads to low physical function and low self-confidence. Walker users typically have forward leaning posture due to load transfer from …

The Effects Of Common Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training Protocols On Muscle Excitation And Fatigue, Taylor M. Aldeghi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Low-load blood flow restriction (LLBFR) training has been shown to elicit greater increases in muscle hypertrophy and strength compared to traditional low-load training, yet few studies have compared the effectiveness of different LLBFR protocols. To our knowledge, no previous study has compared the acute neuromuscular changes induced by two common LLBFR protocols: 30-15-15-15 repetitions (BFR-75) and four sets of repetitions performed to volitional failure (BFR-F). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use surface electromyography (sEMG) to compare changes in muscle excitation and fatigue during BFR-75 and BFR-F protocols. Ten women (mean ± SD age = 22 ± 3.5 …

The Relationship Between The Population's Perception Of Herniated Intervertebral Disks And Their Known Physical Presentation, Jonah D. Gant

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The second most common lumbosacral diagnosis in the United States is a herniation or prolapse of the intervertebral disc. Individuals with herniated discs can have a wide variety of clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic to severe spinal cord compression and pain. Studies suggest that an individual’s pre-existing perception of a condition is likely to influence their course of recovery. Currently, perceptions the general public holds regarding the consequences of disc herniation is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess current views regarding disc herniations in the general population with their reported prevalence and clinical outcome. This was …

Career Termination: The Collegiate Athletes' Self-Identity With The Transition Through The Grief And Loss Cycle, Dylan B. Street

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The research seeks to understand and explain the impact, if any, on the transition out of sport, based on the level of commitment to sport being a Collegiate Athlete. Interest for this study came from personal experience as an athlete, as well as knowing numerous athletes who have gone or are going through, questioning their Identity once their playing days came to an end. This study includes extant literature discussing Athletic Identity. It offers a different perspective than other studies working through grief and loss after losing the ability to play a sport.

The purpose of this study is to …

The Correlation Between Personality And Pain Perception, Farah Atta

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between personality and pain perception in healthy adults. Thirty participants completed the study. All participants were asked to scan a QR code and fill out a survey on their phones that included demographic questions and the Eysenck personality inventory (EPI). The demographics section included questions on age, sex, job activity level, and physical activity level. The researcher then evaluated their pressure pain threshold (PPT) using a handheld pressure algometer. The algometer was applied to the regions of the right paravertebral (PVM), quadratus lumborum (QL), and piriformis (PF) muscles perpendicular to …

Examining The Effects Of Exercise-Induced, Physical Stress Overtraining On Stress Biomarkers In Adolescent, C57bl/6 Mice, Curtis Scotty Davis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Exercise has long been established as a therapeutic modality to improve health and related physical fitness, sports performance, and injury/risk reduction in both adults and adolescents (Haff & Triplett, 2015; Kaminsky, 2010). Nonetheless, there is a lack of research investigating the negative effects of exercise overstress (i.e., overtraining syndrome) in these populations, particularly adolescents (Brenner & American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, 2007; Matos & Winsley, 2007). The objective of this study was to examine hormone biochemical markers, anthropometric markers, and behavioral traits, which are associated with overtraining syndrome, in adolescent C57BL/6 mice. A total of …

The Acute Effects Of Continuous And Intermittent Blood Flow Restriction On Sprint Interval Performance And Muscle Oxygen Responses, Aaron Wizenberg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of intermittent and continuous blood flow restriction (BFR) during sprint interval training (SIT) on muscle mitochondrial function and perceived effort. Fifteen men volunteered to participate in this investigation and were randomly assigned to complete SIT with CBFR, IBFR, and NoBFR. Each SIT session consisted of 2, 30s maximal sprints on a cycle ergometer with a resistance of 7.5% of body mass. Peak power (PP), total work (TW), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), sprint decrement score (Sdec), and muscle oxygen responses were measured during each sprint. Before (pretest) and after (posttest) …

Automatic Posture Correction Utilizing Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Ravi Kiran Kattoju

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Habitually poor posture can lead to repetitive strain injuries that lower an individual's quality of life and productivity. Slouching over computer screens and smart phones, asymmetric weight distribution due to uneven leg loading, and improper loading posture are some of the common examples that lead to postural problems and health ramifications. To help cultivate good postural habits, researchers have proposed slouching, balance, and improper loading posture detection systems that alert users through traditional visual, auditory or vibro-tactile feedbacks when posture requires attention. However, such notifications are disruptive and can be easily ignored. We address these issues with a new physiological …

An Investigation Of The Sled-Push Exercise In Older Adults: Physiological Quantification, Perceived Enjoyment And Body Discomfort, Micheal A. Baumann

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Healthy aging is defined as the process of maintaining and developing functional ability that allows a state of mental and physical wellbeing. Physical activity, particularly exercise training, has been highly recommended for individuals of all ages, especially older adults, as way to maintain, improve or restore functional ability and health. Different modalities and types of exercise have been successfully tested in older adults but not much is known about the potential of the sled-push exercise in this population, a modality that has been highly used among athletes to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and endurance, and core stability. PURPOSE: The …

Exploration Of Warm-Up Protocols On Muscular Fatigue, Sahil Kapadia

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Muscular dystrophy is a genetically linked myopathy with no cure available. The lack of a cure makes early detection and treatment of muscular dystrophy imperative. When reviewing protocols examining muscular fatigue at submaximal isometric contractions, proper warm-up appeared to be absent and could have caused skewed results and conclusions. This study examines the effects of implementing a warm-up protocol before fatiguing trials. In this study, 10 adult subjects conducted fatiguing protocols with the right rectus at submaximal isometric contractions. The warm-up period included a light walk along with contractions at 20% and 33% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) levels. …

A Qualitative Report Of The Perceptions Of The Covid-19 Pandemic From Collegiate Student-Athletes, Dylan C. Rowe, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Shawn M. Arent, Michelle A. Arent, Alexa J. Chandler, Nancy A. Uriegas, Toni M. Torres-Mcgehee

Faculty Publications

CONTEXT: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an abrupt disruption in access to services and personnel for collegiate student-athletes in the spring and summer of 2020. We sought to identify the effects of this unprecedented change by examining the psychological well-being, changes to normal routines, and return-to-play considerations of current student-athletes in order to guide support for both current and future student-athletes who may face similar situations. METHODS: We utilized a phenomenological approach to interview a purposeful sample of eighteen collegiate student-athletes (7 males, 11 females; mean age = 20 years) from across the United States. The participants were interviewed using …

Aerobic Vs. Anaerobic Exercise: The Role Of Exercise Attitudes, Frequency, And Perception Of Effort In Cognitive And Psychological Benefits, Khalil Dabdoub, Michael Oliver

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits. Benefits often depend on the type and duration of exercise. Existing research focuses primarily on long-term aerobic exercise with studies showing 20-30 minutes of exercise to be beneficial. What remains unknown is how little exercise can show benefits. Anaerobic exercise has not been studied much, and when it has, findings have been mixed. Research is needed to elucidate the potential cognitive and psychological benefits of anaerobic exercise of different durations. In addition to exercise type, factors such as one’s attitude towards exercising, exercise frequency, and perception of effort may play a role …

Influence Of Approach Angle On Ball Velocity During The American Football Instep Placekick, Kristoph C. Lopata

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

High ball velocity in American football placekicking (PK) enhances the opportunity to score during competition. Insight into self-selected (SS) approach angle and whether an optimal angle exists for maximal ball velocity may improve performance. Methods: Three selected approach angles (30°, 45°, 60°) and a SS approach angle were assessed to analyze kicking velocity among 11 intercollegiate male kickers. Descriptive statistics analyzed SS angles, and a one-way repeated measures ANOVA with the significance level set a p < .05 compared maximal ball velocity between angles. Results: Mean SS angle was 37.25° ± 3.67, and the SS and 45° approach produced the highest maximal ball velocities; however, no approach angle (SS, 30°, 45°, 60°) differed significantly F(3, 30) = 1.869, p < .156. Conclusions: Approach angle did not significantly affect maximal ball velocity. However, future studies are needed with larger sample sizes and diverse placekicking populations who are participating in American football.

A Season Long Investigation Of Social Emotional Learning Associated With High School Basketball Participation, Daniel Gould, Eric M. Martin, Lauren F. Walker

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This qualitative, longitudinal investigation had three purposes: (1) to investigate social emotional learning (SEL) outcomes athletes reported from participating in high school basketball; (2) to identify critical incidents that occurred over the course of a season that were associated with SEL outcomes; and, (3) to explore the processes identified as leading to the athletes’ SEL outcomes. High school varsity basketball players (four males, five females) were interviewed five times over the course of their season. Content analysis revealed that major categories of SEL outcomes identified included: psychological dispositions (e.g., accountability, discipline); psychological skills (e.g., emotional regulation, time management); and interpersonal …

The Effects Of Neural And Mechanical Interventions On Muscle Size Versus Function During Short Term Immobilization Of The Lower Limb, Kylie Harmon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Limb immobilization is a commonly used therapeutic intervention during periods of recovery from injury. To improve rehabilitation outcomes, interventions that curtail the severe decrements in muscular size and strength that occur during immobilization are critically needed. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of two distinct interventions during one week of knee-joint immobilization on muscular size, strength, and neuromuscular function. Thirty-nine healthy, college-aged adults (21 males and 18 females) participated in this study. Participants were randomized into one of four groups: immobilization only (n = 9) , immobilization + action observation/mental imagery (AOMI) (n = 10), immobilization …

Effects Of Various Golf Bag Loading Strategies On Perceived Exertion And Vertical Jump Performance, Austen Arnold

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: The sport of golf is increasing in popularity among both novice and skilled players alike. A round of golf necessitates players to cope with a range of physically demanding movement patterns. At the collegiate level, golfers must transport their clubs by loading them onto the body. Previous literature has yet to determine how different golf bag carrying positions influence periodic, unloaded jump performance and perceived exertion of the load carrying task. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate how different golf bag load carriage methods may influence vertical jump performance and perceived exertion. METHODS: Five golf bag …

Iranian Parents' Perceptions On Physical Activity For Their Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sarvin Salar, Justin A. Haegele, Hassan Daneshmandi

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic is a remarkable health crisis that enforced most people to stay at home and quarantine for a period of time and seems to be having negative impacts on physical activity and mental health worldwide. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a deficit in social interaction characteristics, relationships, and stereotyped behaviors. This study examined Iranian parents’ perceptions of physical activity for their children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: In this study, an explanatory qualitative methodology was used and data were collected via semi-structured phone interviews. The samples included 40 Iranian parents (aged …

Meeting The 24-H Movement Guidelines And Health-Related Outcomes Among Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Seven-Country Observational Study, Chunxiao Li, Justin A. Haegele, Fenghua Sun, Maria Luiza Tanure Alves, Stefanie Hwee Chee Ang, Jihyun Lee, Kwok Ng, Isabella Dos Santos Alves, Sean Healy, Wendy Yajun Huang, Pauli Rintala, Jernice Sing Yee Tan, Yandan Wu, Hannah Yang, Eija Kärnä, Hyokju Maeng, André Lisandro Schliemann

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: Meeting daily guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration is associated with a host of health indicators for youth. In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated the associations between adherence to the movement guidelines and health-related outcomes among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: Parents of youth with ASD (10-17 years) from seven countries and regions were invited to provide online proxy-reports for child's movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep and screen time), and health-related outcomes (i.e., body mass index [BMI], general health, and quality of life). A series of multiple linear regression analyses were used …

Twelve Week Calcium Collagen Chelate Or Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Affect Bone Metabolism In Trained Cyclists, Beau K. Greer, Christopher Mojock, Bahram Arjmandi, Jeong-Su Kim, Michael Ormsbee, Lynn Panton

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether 12 weeks of calcium collagen chelate (CCC) supplementation during habitual training would affect body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), and biomarkers of bone metabolism in competitive cyclists. Twenty trained (maximal aerobic capacity > 50 ml/kg/min, mean training volume: 28 h/wk) male cyclists performed maximal exercise testing and 40-km time trials (TT) on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. BMD of the whole body, lumbar spine (L1-L4), and both hips were measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The cyclists were assigned to one of two groups: 1) 6 g/d of CCC with 600 …

Analyse Du Concept De Marge De Manœuvre En Ergonomie Du Point De Vue Du Contrôle De La Motricité Humaine, Philippe Corbeil, André Plamondon, Denys Denis

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Le concept de marge de manœuvre se définit comme la liberté dont dispose un travailleur pour élaborer différentes façons de travailler afin de répondre aux exigences de production, et ce, sans effet défavorable sur sa santé (Coutarel, Caroly, Vézina et Daniellou, 2015; St-Vincent et al., 2011). Une forte charge de travail jumelée à une faible latitude décisionnelle restreint l’élaboration des gestes et pourrait pénaliser ainsi la santé des opérateurs. Les connaissances actuelles des façons de faire des manutentionnaires, qu’ils soient experts ou non, ne nous permettent pas d’apprécier dans sa totalité l’ampleur de cette liberté lorsqu’un individu doit répéter …

Changes In Physical Activity And Relationships To Submaximal Exercise Capacity And Cardiac Function During Breast Cancer Therapy, Moriah P. Bellissimo

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Breast cancer (BC) survivors are at high risk for heart failure due to curative cancer therapies. In non-cancer populations, physical activity is a first line treatment for preventing cardiovascular disease. This study examined whether more physical activity was associated with better submaximal exercise capacity and cardiac function during the first three months of cancer therapy.

Methods: Participants included 223 women with stage I-III BC before therapy and after three months of undergoing treatment and 126 controls. Leisure time physical activity was reported using the Godin Sheppard leisure time exercise questionnaire. Cardiac function was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance, and …

The Effect Of Post-Meal Walking On 24-Hour Central Blood Pressure In Young Women With And Without Excess Adiposity, Maison P. D'Amelio, Bilal A. Chaudhry, Ciana B. Lazu

Honors Theses and Capstones

Post-meal walking (PMW) performed after breakfast, lunch, and dinner has been demonstrated to reduce blood glucose. However, no studies have examined the potential additive benefits of post-meal walking exercise on daytime central blood pressure (BP) in young women. METHODS: Thirteen physically inactive, non-hypertensive women (Age: 20±1 years; percent body fat: 28.2±13%) completed the study during the early follicular or placebo phase of their contraceptive cycle. Participants completed a control day (CON; no exercise/excess physical activity) and PMW day (3 bouts x 15 minutes of brisk walking) over five days in random order. Daytime ambulatory BP and accelerometry data (to estimate …

Umass Boston Bike Share Survey Instrument And Dataset, Philip Troped

Exercise and Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

This site contains the survey instrument and survey data that were collected in the fall of 2014 from students, faculty, and staff at the University of Massachusetts Boston. These data were used for a manuscript to be published in PLOS ONE in 2022. The publication is entitled, “Correlates of bike share use and its association with weight status at an urban university” and the authors are Lawrence H. Stahley, Sarah M. Camhi, Julie A. Wright, and Philip J. Troped.

Honor Thyself, Alonzo O. Williams

Dance (MFA) Theses

The black male experience and identity in America are filled with complexity. We struggle to know ourselves. We work to see the way of love and the peace of an unviolated free spirit. We want to engage with ourselves with the highest degree of freedom and comfort, not to continue to question our identity in a life-threatening white patriarchal masculinity ideal. Honoring oneself from the lenses of the Reconstruction era of the United States is essential. Reconceptualizing this history explores the significance of emphasizing Reconstruction in my life as a black male to go through a process of self-discovery and …

Sex Based Differences In Muscle Quality Recovery Following One Week Of Lower Limb Immobilization And Subsequent Retraining, Ryan Girts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The present project represents the second part of a two-phase clinical trial designed to comprehensively examine the effects of knee joint immobilization and recovery on skeletal muscle size, strength, and central nervous system plasticity in healthy males and females. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between sexes in the recovery of muscle quality, size, and strength in response to a resistance training-based rehabilitation program following one week of knee joint immobilization. Twenty-seven participants (males: n = 16, age = 22 ± 3 years, BM = 81.3 ± 14.8 kg, BMI = 25.0 ± 3.4 kg/cm2; females: n …

Velocity Field Measurements Of The California Sea Lion Propulsive Stroke Using Bubble Piv, Gino Perrotta, Frank E. Fish, Danielle S. Adams, Ariel M. Leahy, Abigal M. Downs, Megan C. Leftwich

Biology Faculty Publications

California sea lions are among the most agile of swimming mammals. Most marine mammals swim with their hind appendages-flippers or flukes, depending on the species-whereas sea lions use their foreflippers for propulsion and maneuvering. The sea lion's propulsive stroke generates thrust by forming a jet between the flippers and the body and by dragging a starting vortex along the suction side of the flipper. Prior experiments using robotic flippers have shown these mechanisms to be possible, but no flow measurements around live sea lions previously existed with which to compare. In this study, the flow structures around swimming sea lions …