Kinesiology Commons^™

Slouching Towards Inefficiency? The Cardiometabolic And Cognitive Costs Of Poor Posture, Ava Mae Fitzenrider

Honors Projects

Posture affects all of our lives. It is both static and dynamic, adapting continuously to environmental demands. One postural alteration frequently observed in occupational settings is hyperkyphosis, which can be induced by sitting position. During computer use, individuals commonly adopt a slouched posture, which can exacerbate hyperkyphosis, and contribute to dis-ease within the body. Previous research has demonstrated that such postural deviations can negatively affect pulmonary function, as well as other bodily functions. Despite these findings, the effects of acute hyperkyphosis (“slouching”) on cardiometabolic function and cognition remain largely unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the …

The Marathon Without Running: Experiencing A Runner's Sensorial Journey, Harin Kim

Masters Theses

The marathon is defined not by motion alone, but by the changing conditions a body moves through—and remains within—over time. Breath, cadence, heat, sound, crowd compression and attention fluctuate, producing phases that structure the race from within. These interior states are difficult to access by spectators from the sidelines, yet they are precisely what shape the runner’s experience.

This thesis begins with a simple but unconventional question: How can an exhibition translate the runner’s physical sensations and emotions into a multidimensional experience for spectators who do not run? Through a sequence of pop-up exhibitions placed along the New York City …

Correlations Between The Army Combat Fitness Test (Aft) Events And The 12-Mile Ruck March, Isabella Huner Cruz

Masters Theses

The Army Fitness Test (AFT) consists of maximum deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a 2-mile run and is used by the United States Army to assess a soldier’s ability to meet occupational demands. The AFT is designed to ensure soldier readiness and maintain physical and mental well-being. In addition to the AFT, soldiers are often tasked with a loaded ruck march across various distances. Loaded ruck marches are a frequent occurrence in the Army as a mode of testing, training, and combat. Due to the AFT’s role in predicting soldier task performance, it would be valuable to identify any …

Difference Between Postural Sway, Functional Fitness, And Behavioral Measures In Older Adult Fallers & Non-Fallers, Olivia Maus, Rebecca Brandhorst, Andrea Geisenhof, Kyle Reason

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

BACKGROUND: Falls are among the leading causes of injury, hospitalization, and loss of independence among older adults. There is not enough research to determine how body composition, fitness, and postural sway affect balance.

METHODS: Participants completed surveys measuring behaviors around fall risk, assessment of body composition, postural sway, and functional fitness.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference between OF and ONF on the FES-I (p=0.05; d=-0.41) and the ABC-6 (p=0.008; d=0.57). There was significance on condition three of the mCTSIB (p=0.007; d=-.58), and composite score (p=0.04; d=-0.43).Significance between groups was approached on condition one of the mCTSIB (p=0.06; d=-0.39).

CONCLUSIONS: …

Living With Confidence: The Importance Of Hip Health, Ellisa Louisy, Shannon M. Meyer, Kyle W. Reason

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

The hip joint is essential for weight-bearing movement, providing both mobility and stability as a ball-and-socket joint. Surrounding muscles generate movement and maintain stability during daily activities like walking, standing, and rising from a chair. As the link between the trunk and lower limbs, reduced hip strength or mobility can impair balance and movement efficiency. In women, hormonal changes, especially after menopause, contribute to decreased bone density and muscle mass, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures and underscoring the importance of hip health.

Caffeine Perceptions And Reality In High School Gymnasts, Gabrielle Steinkopf

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

From years of observation as a high school gymnast, there is a noted “caffeine culture” among gymnasts at my high school. Since gymnastics is a precision sport with not inconsiderable danger, I wondered what impact caffeine ingestion had on athletes. Athletes were asked to give up caffeine during a series of regular season meets, with reflection questions immediately after each meet to assess the impact caffeine might have had on performance vs the gymnasts’ perception of the effects

Hip Stretching Protocol's Impact On Female Ice Hockey Players, Cienna Clark

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

Women’s ice hockey participation continues to grow as do injury rates among these players. However, female ice hockey players often show different injuries than male players. This is largely due to the lack of checking in women’s hockey, which means the injuries that tend to be seen are more about overuse injuries and less catastrophic injuries. Female injuries also tend to be more in their hips, which begs the question: what would happen if hips were stretched on a regular basis? Would these injuries subside, or at least improve?

The Effect Of Acute Hypoxia Exposure, With Exercise, On Bone Metabolic Biomarkers, Alyssa Bailly

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Hypoxic environments, resulting from decreased atmospheric partial pressure of oxygen, reduce oxygen availability in the blood and tissues, leading to a mismatch between supply and demand. This elicits several physiological adaptations and may influence bone metabolism. Although evidence suggests that hypoxia can modulate bone remodeling through hypoxia-inducible pathways, findings remain mixed, with most data derived from chronic hypoxic exposures in animal and cell culture models. Exercise, an essential stimulus for bone health, may exacerbate hypoxic stress; however, the skeletal response to acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise remains unclear. We propose that intermittent exercise in hypoxia may increase negative markers …

Influence Of The Discipline Of Authentic Movement Practice On Interpersonal Relationships, Joy Ruben Welts

Educational Studies Dissertations

This mixed methods study explored how practicing the Discipline of Authentic Movement impacts relationships. This research was conducted to fill in the gaps around attunement and use of the Discipline of Authentic Movement as an intervention to support healthy relationships. Five self-selected adults met on Saturday afternoons for eight weeks to practice the Discipline of Authentic Movement. They completed a pre and post Revised Adult Attachment Scale and reflected weekly on their experience through journaling. Participants reported that it was the structure of the Discipline of Authentic Movement that allowed them to feel more comfortable being themselves with others. The …

Harnessing Mechanobiology Of Resident Stem Cells To Refine Cell Based Therapeutics, Dakota R. Kamm

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are resident cells residing with many adult tissues such as adipose tissue and bone marrow that have the potency for multiple lineage differentiation as well as the capacity to secrete a litany of beneficial factors to maintain homeostasis and promote tissue repair. Since 1995, MSCs have been used therapeutically to treat a variety of conditions from osteoarthritis to heart disease to muscle pathologies. Great leaps have been made in improving MSC-based therapies through optimization of culture methods and select enrichment of cellular subpopulations. More recently, the physical microenvironment of tissue in vivo and culture conditions in …

Assessment Of Energy And Hydration Demands Of Farm Workers In Mississippi, Mckenzie Lynne Hargrove

Theses and Dissertations

The agricultural community in Mississippi is critical to the state’s economy and the health of its communities. Farm workers meet these needs by performing highly demanding work with long hours of labor, limited resources, and stressful environmental conditions. The purpose of this investigation was to examine and measure indicators of physiological and behavioral adaptations to the heat such as whole body sweat rate (WBSR), sweat sodium (Na+) content, urine specific gravity (USG), and fluid intake, as well as determine total daily energy expenditure (TEE) and water influx (rH2O) via the doubly labeled water technique (DLW) in farm workers during the …

Application Of Occupational Therapy Task-Oriented For Chronic Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Case Study, Gia Nghi Vu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability, with persistent upper extremity (UE) impairment limiting engagement in daily tasks, reducing quality of life and contributing to learned non-use in the chronic stage among stroke survivors. The Occupational Therapy Task Oriented (OTTO) approach is proposed to optimize occupational performance through the use of meaningful, functional and highly individualized tasks that enable clients to fulfill their valued roles and participate in desired daily activities. The purpose of this capstone project was to advance clinical skills by applying the OTTO approach to examine its effect on occupational performance and UE motor function in …

Exploring The Biological Basis For Exercise Neuroprotection In Parkinson’S Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Exercise And Physical Activity On Inflammatory Cytokines And Neurotrophins, Leah Isabelle P. Alegre, Jacob M. Brewer, Adeline Florschutz, Kate E. Hamiltonthompson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Regular exercise and physical therapy are known to increase production of neurotrophins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and anti-inflammatory cytokines. These changes combine to theoretically protect and slow the progressive loss of neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise and physical activity on various anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophins in people with PD (PwP). This was a cross-sectional design involving PwP (n=37), aged 43-85 years, who participated in two 30-minute bouts of exercise (with brief rest breaks during and pre/post blood draws) separated by a week. Measures collected prior …

Examining Demographic And Contextual Differences In Stress-Related Sport Interference Among U.S. Collegiate Sport Participants, Heather Tran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Collegiate athletes experience a range of stressors that may interfere with sport performance; however less is known about how stress-related sport interference varies across demographic groups and contexts. Guided by the transactional model of stress and coping, this study examined differences in stress-related sport interference by gender, race/ethnicity, and year in school, as well as across situational contexts (training, competition, and life outside of sport). Data were drawn from a secondary dataset of 288 collegiate sport participants who completed the Sport Interference Checklist (SIC). Independent samples t-test and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examined demographic differences, and a …

Turf Toe And Sesamoid Fracture Case Study, Mason Cannon

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE This case presents the evaluation and management of a 15-year-old male multi-sport high school athlete. The athlete initially sustained a turf toe injury that progressed into a sesamoid fracture. This report showcases the clinical findings, treatment progression, and outcomes within a disablement model framework.

Prevalence Of Low Energy Availability (Lea) Risk In Division Iii Female Distance Athletes, Ciara Murphy

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of LEA among division III female distance athletes.

The Effectiveness Of An Educational Program On Young Swimmers Water Consumption And Dry Land Exercises, Maria Thibodeaux, Shelby Bay, Maddie Hoyt, Elizabeth Starns, Elizabeth Nix

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE/CONTEXT Although shown to improve performance, many young swimmers are reluctant to participate in dry land exercises.¹ They are also more likely to become dehydrated than their non-swimming counterparts, suggesting they are not adequately hydrating during activity and throughout their day.² Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of a four-week educational program on dry land exercises and water consumption.

From Focal Chondral Defect To Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation In An Active Adult: A Case Study, Zoey Scott

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE Present a clinical case detailing the undetermined consequential factors associated with FCD progression  in athletic populations, and the subsequent challenges.

Post-Surgical Dislocations: A Latarjet Procedure, Brianagh Dean, Kimberly S. Peer

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

BACKGROUND The glenohumeral joint is the most frequently dislocated joint in the body, with an incidence rate of 40.4 per 100,000 in men and 15.5 per 100,000 women. Recurrence rates following a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation range from 33-40%, particularly among adolescent collision-sport athletes. Arthroscopic Bankart repair is performed to address anterior instability, however recurrent instability may occur in the presence of glenoid bone loss. The Latarjet surgery is indicated in cases of recurrent anterior instability with significant bony deficiency, functioning through a triple-blocking mechanism increasing glenoid surface area via coracoid transfer, creating a dynamic sling effect from the conjoined …

Oral Contraceptives Rate Of Reduction On Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries In Females: A Critically Appraised Topic, Paige Trent, Sara Stiltner

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

CLINICAL SCENARIO Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur more frequently in females than males, with estimates suggesting a 2-10 greater likelihood of females to sustain this trauma.3 FIFA issued a recent call to action encouraging further investigation into why females are still predisposed to this trauma.2 ACL incident rate is highest amongst females between 14–18-years-old with approximately 227.6 exposures per 100,000 persons per year.1 Multifactorial influences are suggested as predisposing risk factors including anatomical or hormonal components.1 Growing interest in hormonal contributions has led researchers to examine how fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone impact ligamentous integrity.8

Estrogen receptors are …

Case Report: Chronic Peroneal Subluxation, Natalie Weissman, Morgan Cooper Bagley, Colin Reidy

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE The case study presented explores the sign, symptoms, and unique treatment of a patient with a chronic peroneal subluxation of the right ankle. The clinical evaluation showed full range of motion with visible peroneal tendon movement over the right lateral malleolus. Surgery was not done or recommended; a four-phase rehabilitation with a return to play protocol was used. This case showed how rehabilitation through a non-surgical approach is still achievable.

The Effect Of Taper On Scapular Positioning In Division Iii Collegiate Swimmers, Maddie Hoyt, Elizabeth Starns, Andrew Busch

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE Scapular asymmetry and lateral translation are prevalent in competitive swimmers due to the repetitive overhead nature of the sport.^1,2 Additionally, ambiguity exists in the reliability of non-invasive scapular assessments. First, this study aimed to compare differences in scapular positioning during the competitive swimming season to the tapered season. The tapered season is marked by a significant decrease in intensity.^3,4,5 Second, this study aimed to determine the reliability of three commonly used scapular assessments.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Autograft Reconstruction Outcomes In Adolescents And Young Adults: A Critically Appraised Topic, Klevione D. Brown, River A. Hamilton, Elizabeth A. Starns

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

CLINICAL SCENARIO Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most common serious knee injuries seen in high school and college-aged athletes.¹ Many athletes opt for surgical reconstruction because ACL injuries often result in knee instability and impair their ability to return to play in their sport.² There are three primary types of autografts used in reconstruction: bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB), hamstring tendon (HT), and quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts.³ It is important to determine if a graft type has better return-to-play outcomes for adolescent and young adult athletes.

Sport-Related Concussion Incidents Across Sports, Surfaces, And Injury Mechanisms: A Retrospective Analysis Of A Digital Concussion Database, Justin Belle, Jay Alberts, Jason Cruickshank, Richard Figler, Kelsey Owen, Sami Rifat

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE/CONTEXT Sport-related concussion (SRC) represents a significant injury burden in youth athletics. Advances in digital injury surveillance platforms allow for large-scale clinical databases that may provide insight into injury mechanisms, sport distribution, and management patterns. The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of concussion-related incidents across sports, playing surfaces, and mechanisms of injury using data from a prospectively maintained clinical concussion database.

Dysautonomia In Adolescent Athletes With Persistent Post‑Concussion Complaints, Jason A. Cruickshank

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND Dysautonomia is dysfunction in autonomic nervous system manifesting following concussion, contributing to Persistent Post‑Concussion Complaints (PPCC).^1,5 Patients with dysautonomia may present with dizziness, tachycardia, postural intolerance, headaches, cognitive fog, and activity/exercise intolerance.^1,5 Recognition of autonomic involvement is essential to recovery and preventing prolonged symptoms^.1,5

The Effectiveness Of A Mental Health Literacy Webpage For Parents, Coaches, And Athletic Trainers, Mackenzie Warner, Kimberly Peer, Hannah Harnar, David Dees

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

INTRODUCTION Mental health illnesses continue to emerge as a major public health concern, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Secondary school student-athletes face unique pressures related to academics, athletic performance, time management, injuries, and social expectations, all of which may contribute to anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health conditions. However, there is limited research that explores secondary school student-athletes and how mental health affects their everyday lives. This could be due to the lack of mental health literacy in the individuals who surround secondary school student-athletes, including parents, coaches, and athletic trainers. Increasing their understanding of mental health literacy …

Understanding Athletic Trainer's Knowledge And Perceptions Of Mental Health Best Practices: A Mixed-Methods Study, Chelsea Pasukinis, Yvette Ingram, Malissa Martin, Robert B. Krueger

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE Mental health disorders are increasing in our society. Research on athletic trainers' (AT) knowledge and perception of mental health disorders, and whether policies are developed and used, is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate AT’s knowledge of mental health illness, current policies and procedures, and the perceptions ATs have of mental health.

A Case Report Of Blunt Renal Trauma In A High School Football Athlete, Mariah Reeder

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND Blunt abdominal trauma in football athletes is uncommon but carries significant risk for internal organ injury and hemorrhage. Although sport-related renal injuries are rare, a significant portion of them are high-grade (IV-V) and may require advanced medical intervention if not recognized promptly.¹ Symptoms may initially appear benign, such as “having the wind knocked out,” increasing the risk of delayed diagnosis. Athletic trainers often serve as first responders and play a critical role in early recognition, on-field management, and prompt referral for advanced medical care. This case highlights athletic trainer led clinical decision making and interdisciplinary coordination following blunt …

Assessment Of A Middle School Return To Learn Concussion Protocol, Aaron Yaksich, Laura L. Harris

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of a newly implemented return to learn (RTL) concussion protocol in an adolescent athletic population.

Challenging The Standard: A Case Report Of Postpartum Rehabilitation Prior To Return To High-Intensity Functional Training, Aly Matejka

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE Postpartum athletes frequently attempt to return to high-intensity training without graded rehabilitation of the deep core and pelvic floor complex, contributing to urinary incontinence, impaired load transfer, unresolved diastasis recti, and decreased performance capacity. Despite increasing participation of postpartum individuals in high-load functional training, there is limited applied literature outlining structured, criterion-based return-to-exercise progressions that address breathing mechanics, pelvic floor function, and force development prior to reintroduction of impact and resistance training. This case report describes the implementation of a 15-week postpartum rehabilitation and return-to-training protocol designed to restore neuromuscular control, muscular endurance and strength, and impact tolerance prior …