Biomechanics Commons^™

Biomechanics Of Softball Pitching And The Relationship Between Functional Field Tests And Pitching Performance, Joshua Spencer Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Over 2 million people in the United States play softball alone, yet softball literature in exercise science and biomechanics is still sparse. Research that exists for softball pitching has focused on injury mechanisms and prevention, with a small portion of the literature reporting on performance. Studies have reported evidence suggesting that vertical ground reaction forces of the stride leg are related to pitch velocity. However, no studies have investigated the role of the stride leg during the initial launch phase of the pitch. Research has investigated kinematics such as pelvic and thoracic rotation during the pitch, but no research has …

A Description Of Mental Health Policies In Ohio Secondary Schools, Laura L. Harris, Molly Rowe

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

OBJECTIVE To compare secondary school mental health policies implemented for the student body with those implemented for student athletes.

Athletic Trainers Confidence In Evaluating And Treating Emergent Conditions, Andrea Cripps, Jenny Toonstra, Sara Stiltner

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

OBJECTIVE The profession of Athletic Training (AT) has undergone a substantial educational overhaul in the last decade, adding more advanced knowledge and skills than ever before. With more than 50% of the profession having obtained their certification more than 10 years prior,¹ it is essential that we understand the varying levels of confidence in evaluating and managing these new skills, so that appropriate continuing education opportunities can be developed to bridge any gaps that may be identified. The purpose of this study to examine self-reported confidence in evaluating and managing acute care skills.

Sternocleidomastoid Syndrome In A Collegiate Basketball Athlete: A Case Study, Sara Stiltner, Rob Whitehurst, Eric Avers

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

BACKGROUND
20-year-old male basketball athlete with recurring upper and lower extremity instability injuries presented fall 2021 with shoulder and ankle instability. A past medical history of thermal capsulorrhaphy from high school with surgical intervention May 2021 (college first year). October 2021 athlete began experiencing rotator cuff strains in both shoulders. November 2021, December 2021, January 2022 athlete experiences recurrent right ankle sprains. Each ankle sprain resulted in two weeks of lost participation, followed by one week of active participation. The third ankle sprain associated with increased swelling and pain over medial ankle. Upon referral and MRI a deltoid ligament sprain …

Causes Of Athletic Trainer Attrition: A Critically Appraised Topic, Mckenna E. Tuttle, Klevione D. Brown, Elizabeth A. Starns

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

Athletic Training (AT) attrition has been a persistent issue within the profession for years^1,2. By identifying the factors contributing to the attrition rates among Athletic Trainers, targeted interventions can be developed to mitigate turnover and decrease attrition within the profession.

Kinematic Analysis Of Lower Extremity Movement Patterns During Functional Tests In Collegiate Track And Field Runners To Predict Injury Incidence, Maddie Hoyt, Brooke Parker, Bailey Weise, Andrew Busch

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

OBJECTIVE
Lower extremity overuse injuries are becoming increasingly more prevalent in endurance-based running sports^1,2,3,4,5,6. These injuries negatively impact an athlete’s sports performance and increase the risk of additional injuries^3,4. The purpose of this study was to first examine kinematic and kinetic variables within distance runners and compare those with previous lower extremity injuries to those without reported injuries; and second to understand if such variables predicted future injuries sustained throughout a track season.

Injury Epidemiology In Collegiate Marching Band, Morgan Davis, Jinghzen Yang, Matthew Brancaleone

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

OBJECTIVE
Marching bands have become more popular and physically demanding, with performers taking up to 16,174 steps on game days, which may increase their risk of musculoskeletal injuries. However, research on these performers remains limited. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of reported injury and pain and soreness experienced by marching artists within a collegiate marching band.

Atypical Anterior Tibial Stress Fracture Leading To Acute Fracture And Intermedullary Rodding, Emily Mulkey Swisher, Chad Cochran, Raymond Duffett

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

OBJECTIVE
This case highlights an unusual stress fracture progressing to an acute tibial fracture requiring intermedullary rodding.

The Athletic Trainer's Responsibility In Disability Exercise Adherence, Elizabeth Starns, Stephanie M. Kubiak, Rebecca J. Wehler

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

OBJECTIVE
This study examined exercise adherence to aerobic and strength training exercise guidelines in individuals with disabilities, highlighting the implications for athletic training (AT). Because disabilities impact over 25% of the U.S. population¹, an understanding of the varied exercise adherence patterns can inform inclusive AT best practices and assist in promoting exercise and sport participation.

Emergency Action Planning In Collegiate Athletics: An Evaluation Of The Current Adoption Of Best Practice Recommendations, Kyler Conn, Ken Blood, Genna Fusco

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

OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to assess the current adoption of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) best practice recommendations regarding emergency planning, outlined in the NATA Position Statement: Emergency Planning in Athletics, at the collegiate level.

Effect Of Hearing Status On Modified Balance Error Scoring System Performance, Matthew Brancaleone, Claire Akard, Jaclyn Caccese

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

OBJECTIVE
Concussion assessments typically include evaluations of self-reported symptoms, neurocognitive function, and postural control. Specifically, postural control is often assessed using the modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS). Although normative mBESS data exist, they may not be appropriate for all athletes, such as those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH). Given the relationship between the cochlea and the vestibular system, athletes who are D/HoH may exhibit differences in postural control due to potential vestibular dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare mBESS performance between athletes who are D/HoH and athletes who are hearing.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax In A Male High School Wrestler, Laura Breese, Sara Stiltner

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

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND
A pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, it is a life threatening condition and can be classified as spontaneous, acquired, or by pathophysiology. (1)(2) This specific case presents the incident of a spontaneous pneumothorax in an adolescent population.

Effects Of Altered Somatosensory Input On Gait Kinetics And Kinematics Via Different Footwear In Individuals With Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis, Daniela Casillas, Lesley Ruiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis walk with significant asymmetries, leading to slow, effortful walking, and a high risk of falls. One contributing factor is altered sensation on the plantar surface. Studies examining altered somatosensory input via insoles, vibration and other tactile stimuli observed improvements in hemiparesis gait. This study investigates whether altering somatosensory input through different footwear can affect kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity during walking post-stroke. We hypothesized the barefoot conditions would have increased dorsiflexion (heel-strike, swing), increased plantarflexion during toe-off, increased muscle activity and kinetics, compared to memory foam conditions.

Participants: 13 individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (4F/9M, …

Core Temperature While Swimming In Warm Open Water With And Without A Wetsuit, Katsiaryna Afanasyeva

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Triathlon is a popular sport which attract participants from all over the world. In general, triathlon is a safe sport with risk of death being about 1.74 deaths per 100,000 participants (Harris et al., 2017). The swimming portion of the race can be dangerous, posing particular risks due to open water conditions and the physical demands of the event. This study investigated the effects of wetsuit use on core temperature in warm open-water swimming (27.9–28.3°C). Four experienced triathletes (2 males, 2 females; age 49.50 ± 7.83 years) completed two 700-meter open-water swims at a submaximal pace—once wearing their personal full-sleeve …

Torque Efficacy Of Cadmus Bracket Design Using Clear Aligners, Joseph Soderberg

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Clear aligner therapy (CAT) is an alternative option for clinicians to use for orthodontic treatment as opposed to fixed appliances. Many patients prefer clear aligner therapy due to its esthetic looks, removability, ease of oral hygiene, and comfort. Clear aligner companies boast to clinicians that it can be used more efficiently and effectively than fixed appliances in many orthodontic cases. Although these claims have been made, there is a lack of evidence to prove that clear aligner therapy is more efficient or effective. This research will focus on torque control. This project is designed around a new, pre-manufactured attachment …

The Influence Of Intrinsic Foot Muscles In Modulating Foot Shape Relative To Substrate And The Efficacy Of Different Strengthening Approaches, Luke R. Lotsis

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Cross-sloped surfaces create an asymmetrical substrate for foot contact, introducing a slip force within the transverse plane and a gravitational pull within the coronal plane that increases the tendency to topple downslope. To maintain stability, the foot must make structural adjustments across the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and hallux. In chapter 1, I investigated how IFMs respond to varying substrate conditions and balance demands, providing insight into their functional role in maintaining stability and adapting foot structure in static and dynamic locomotor tasks. Twenty-four healthy adults participated in a series of dynamic walking trials on flat, cross-sloped and sandy substrates and …

Effects Of Foam Rolling With And Without Vibration On Contralateral Limb Range Of Motion And Jump Performance, Lawton P. Hawkins

Honors Theses

Recently, foam rolling with vibration (VFR) has gained popularity with having similar benefits to standard foam rolling (FR). VFR may induce a greater improvement in pain pressure threshold, which could lead to a greater improvement in range of motion (ROM). When applied to one limb, improvements in ROM occur in the non-rolled limb for both FR and VFR. Studies comparing the effects of FR and VFR in terms of acute changes in ROM and performance have reported mixed results. Using a larger dosage of VFR may provide a greater improvement in ROM for the non-rolled limb compared to FR. PURPOSE: …

The Distribution Of Spinal Cord Injury Severity Across Age And Injury Location In Frontal Impact Automobile Collisions, Alyssa Teixeira

Master's Theses

Automobile collisions are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) worldwide, accounting for about 42% of SCIs in the United States alone (McDonald & Sadowsky, 2002; Roberts et al., 2017). The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies road traffic injuries as the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5-29 years, emphasizing the urgent need for effective prevention strategies (World Health Organization, 2023). The primary aim of this study was to identify differences in spinal column injury severity and location (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) across multiple age groups to identify any discrepancies or similarities. A total of 302 traffic accidents …

Assessing Sleep Quality In A Preclinical Model Of Low Back Pain Through Novel Noninvasive Methods, Lydia C. Saltz

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Chronic low back pain (LBP) has widespread negative impacts on quality of life. Current treatments for chronic LBP fail to provide long-term efficacy and motivate the need to understand key drivers of poor patient outcomes. Mounting evidence indicates that sleep disturbances and chronic LBP have a strong reciprocal relationship. Women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of the sleep-pain axis, exhibiting greater prevalence in both conditions. However, the relationship between sleep, pain, and sex remains understudied. Preclinical models can be used to parse out characteristic sleep features that degrade with pain, which can be further broken out by …

Limb Differences In Hamstring-To-Quadricep Ratio Across Velocities In Collegiate Women’S Soccer Athletes, Nicole Waldo Johnson, Lauren Sanders, Kyle L. Sunderland

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Purpose: This study examined differences in the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q) between dominant and non-dominant legs in collegiate women soccer athletes. Methods: Eleven NCAA Division I female soccer players participated; one was excluded due to equipment malfunction. Following a standardized warm-up, athletes completed unilateral isokinetic knee extension and flexion on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s. For each leg and velocity, athletes performed three submaximal trials followed by five maximal effort repetitions, with 60 seconds of rest between velocities. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess differences in H:Q ratios between the limbs across velocities. Results: …

Seasonal Improvements In Lower-Body Power In Collegiate Women’S Ice Hockey Athletes, Molly K. Henderson, Olivia J. Grabianowski, Quinn M. Mclaren, Kyle Sunderland

2025 Student Academic Showcase

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in lower-body power from pre- to post-season in a women’s ice hockey team using broad jump (BJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) assessments. Fifteen NCAA Division I athletes completed BJ and CMJ tests within a month prior to the competitive season and within a month following the final game. All tests were conducted at a consistent time of day and began with a standardized warmup, followed by the CMJ testing using dual force plates and BJ on a marked flat surface. CMJ metrics included in the analysis were jump height, relative peak …

Sex Differences In Exercise And Sleep Among University Faculty And Staff Members, Jorge O. Vazquez, David A. Tobar, Faith Yingling, K Todd Keylock

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 4, 2025. There has been minimal research examining the exercise and sleeping patterns of university faculty and staff members and what role these factors play in overall health. The information gathered in this study was used to analyze how faculty and staff can adapt their behaviors to improve health and well-being. To explore sex differences in exercise and sleep in faculty and staff at a university in the Midwest, the study performed secondary analyses on data collected from the 2022 American College Health Association’s National Faculty and Staff Health …

Case Study: Effect Of Stroboscopic Vision Training During A Softball Season, Doug Dendy, C Roger James, Toby Brooks, Micah Lierly, Nolan Riley, Larry Munger

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 3, 2025. This case study examined the effects of stroboscopic vision training during an entire varsity softball season for a 16-year-old female. Stroboscopic vision training uses specialized glasses with crystallized fluid that flickers, intermittently impeding vision, a technique that enhances visual performance. The stroboscopic glasses were worn two to three times a week during hitting and fielding skills. The central hypothesis was that the stroboscopic vision training would enhance softball vision performance. The central hypothesis was tested using these specific aims: 1) batting statistics for a year with no …

Kinematic Analysis Of Defensive Forms And Simple Riposte In Foil Fencing And Their Relationship To Target Accuracy, Hashem Adnan Alkilani Dr, Leena Adnan Husain Dr

Journal Articles

This study analyzed kinematic variables of defensive forms and simple riposte in foil fencing and their impact on target accuracy. Eight Jordanian national team fencers (four males, four females, mean age 16.87 ± 2.53 years) participated. Motion analysis was conducted using Contemplas software and Vicon Motus 10 software, with fencing touches recorded electronically. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and repeated measures ANOVA were applied. Results showed the fastest defensive reaction was diagonal defense (0.30s), while horizontal defense achieved the quickest successful touch (0.30s). Increased wrist velocity in the simple riposte after semi-circular defense improved accuracy. The study recommends competition-based training, sensory-cognitive …

Angular Kinematics During Top Speed Sprinting In Male Intercollegiate Track And Field And Team Sport Athletes, Kenneth P. Clark, Christopher R. Meng, Cory T. Walts, Laurence J. Ryan, David J. Stearne

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

In this investigation we examined lower extremity angular kinematics and top speed sprinting performance in 98 male intercollegiate athletes with backgrounds in either track and field (TF, n = 28) or team sports (TS, n = 70). Athletes completed 40 m running trials, with high-speed video recorded from 30–40 m, and 2D sagittal plane motion analysis. Key kinematic variables included: maximum thigh extension and flexion during the swing phase, leg and foot angles of the stance leg at touchdown, swing-leg thigh and knee angles at contralateral touchdown, leg excursion angle during the ground contact phase, thigh total range of motion …

Advancing Tka Biomechanics: From Joint Simulator To Boundary Condition Development, Yashar Ali Behnam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses four specific aims that collectively attempted to advance the experimental and computational analysis of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) components. The first study focused on the development of a novel whole knee joint simulator capable of simultaneous tibiofemoral and patellofemoral knee loading. This simulator employs custom fixturing to facilitate dynamic, unconstrained, muscle-driven PF articulation alongside controlled TF contact mechanics. Validation against experimental measurements showed strong agreement, demonstrating the simulator's potential as a valuable tool for future TKA design and surgical technique investigations.

The second study verified implant-specific physiological boundary conditions which accurately simulate activities of daily living using …

Influence Of Marching Band Experience On Eating Disorder Risk And Perceived Stress In Collegiate Marching Artists, Kalor Greve, Jaclyn B. Caccese, Matthew P. Brancaleone

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

Introduction: Collegiate marching artists face severe and prevalent stressors that may contribute to poor mental health and unhealthy habits. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sex and years of participation in collegiate marching band on the relationship between eating disorder risk and perceived stress levels. Methods: Marching artists from an NCAA Division I university completed the Eating Disorder Questionnaire-6 (EDEQ-6) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to obtain disordered eating behaviors and perceived stress levels, respectively. Spearman rank correlations were used to determine the relationship between PSS-10 scores and global and subscale EDEQ-6 scores, …

Retention Of Cpr Knowledge And Skills Among Ncaa Division Iii Athletic Coaches: A Prospective Cohort Study, Allison Hanstine, Jaclyn Tate, Chyrsten Gessel

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

Objective/Context: It is crucial for athletic coaches to be proficient in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge and skill performance for the health and safety of their athletes. This research aimed to assess CPR knowledge and CPR skill retention five months post-training among athletic coaches. In addition, the study assessed whether the number of years certified in CPR had an association with CPR skill performance scores five months post-training. Design and Setting: As a part of a master’s thesis, this prospective cohort study was performed over a five-month period to align with the research timeline. Participants: The study was conducted among 19 …

A Pilot Study: Effects Of 5-Week Hamstring Training On Functional Movement Screen Scores., Julie Landrigan, Colin Tomes

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

Introduction. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) can be used by clinicians to assess movement and asymmetries in their clients. Understanding FMS composite and subtest scores can be a useful way for clinicians to monitor risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to identify if eccentric hamstring stretching and Nordic hamstring curls could improve movement, FMS scores, and active straight leg raise range of motion. Methods. Participants consisted of a convenience sample of high-school athletes. All subjects participated in the intervention, performing the FMS screen pre- and post-Nordic curls and stretching. Results. This pilot study suggests that the …

Normative Performance Test Metrics In Professional Female Club Soccer, Andy Seraphin, Christi Edson, Cory Price, Barrett Jones, Amanda Jagielo, Justin Mullner

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

Objective: To establish normative ranges in common performance tests for professional women’s club soccer. Setting:1^st division professional women’s soccer club in the United States

Participants: Twenty-eight healthy professional women’s soccer players (Age: 27.8 ± 5.1 years; Body Mass: 66.2 ± 6.7 kg). Main Outcome Measures: Countermovement Jump, Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull, and Nordic Hamstring Curl tests were performed to obtain lower body compound strength, power, and eccentric hamstring strength. Paired-samples t tests were used to determine between-limbs differences for each outcome measure. Results: Jump height had a mean of 28.9 ± 4.2 cm. Peak vertical force (IMTP) had a …