Exercise Science Commons^™

A Pilot Study To Examine A Therapeutic Exercise Intervention On Fibromyalgia Symptoms, Mara Hendricks Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Objective. To examine the feasibility of a home-based, video therapeutic exercise program on pain, fatigue, self-efficacy, and health status in fibromyalgia patients. Methods. Nine individuals who were previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia completed the study (out of an initial pool of 31). Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a group who received a home-based therapeutic exercise video and a control group who continued to undergo their current standard of care or "treatment-as-usual." The video group was instructed to conduct the exercises as prescribed in the 42-minute video at least 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The treatment-as-usual …

The Effect Of Leisure-Based Screen Time On Physical Activity, Mary Dawn Sperry

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of leisure-based screen time on physical activity. Ninety-four families participated in this six-week study. Each family was randomly assigned to one of three screen time groups: (1) control group (2) 2-hour-limit group or (3) one-hour-limit group. Family members wore a Walk4Life LS 2505® pedometer to measure steps. Daily screen time logs were filled out each night and leisure-based screen time and steps were recorded. Analysis of variance (steps x group) was used to determine differences among the groups. Univariate tests showed there were no significant differences among any of the …

The Perceptions Of High School Physical Educators On The Benefits Of Block Scheduling In The State Of Utah, Marilyn Miller

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which the block schedule is being used in Utah high school physical education, and determine teacher's perceptions of block scheduling in teaching physical education. Block scheduling is a new and more efficient way of organizing the school day. NASPE has found the following positive effects in block scheduling: a better learning environment, more access to stronger curriculum, detailed instruction and demonstrations, and more variety in assessment (NASPE, 2000). Although there were several different forms of the block schedule reported, it appears that a majority of physical educators have discovered …

Time Efficiency In Computer Assisted Direct Observation Of Physical Activity Using Sofit, Trisha Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Having valid and reliable methods for assessing physical activity levels is critical to understanding physical activity patterns. Direct observation is a widely used technique for obtaining contextually rich data on physical activity levels in physical education classes. One major limitation of direct observation is that it is time intensive. The use of digital video editing software programs may lessen the amount of time needed to gather the data. The purpose of this study was to compare the amount of time needed to obtain SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time) physical activity data using the traditional paper and pencil method …

The Association Between Changes In Body Fat, Body Weight And Serum C-Reactive Protein: A Prospective Study, Benjamin Thomas Bikman

Theses and Dissertations

Objective- To investigate the extent to which changes in body fat percentage (BF%) and weight (BW) relate to changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) in women, while statistically controlling for possible confounders, such as age, initial body weight, and menopause status.

Methods and Results- A cohort of 150 free-living subjects was followed prospectively over a 2½-year period. BF% was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), while BW was determined with a calibrated, electronic scale. There was no significant relationship between changes in BF% and CRP, regardless of age, initial BW, and menopause status. However, changes in BW were predictive of …

Soft Drink Consumption And Changes In Body Composition In 170 Women: A 4-Year Prospective Study, Jared Michael Tucker

Theses and Dissertations

Background: In recent history, there have been significant increases in both soft drink consumption and the prevalence of obesity throughout the developed world. To help curb the obesity epidemic, a better understanding of the behaviors contributing to weight and fat gain is vital.

Objective: To examine the extent to which soft drink consumption is predictive of changes in body composition in middle-aged women over a 4-year period, while statistically controlling for age, energy intake, physical activity, and menopause status.

Design: A prospective cohort design over 48 months with no intervention. Self-reported soft drink consumption was used to predict changes in …

Optimal Ankle Axis Position For Articulated Footwear, Dustin A. Bruening, James G. Richards

Faculty Publications

An articulated boot design is commonly used in skiing and skating sports because it allows sagittal plane ankle mobility while still providing critical frontal plane stability. Although articulated boots have been in use for several decades, current manufacturers of these boots differ in their articulation placement. In this study we determined an optimal position of the ankle articulation axis. We also calculated the amount of anterior skin movement that a boot tongue must account for during a full range of ankle motion. Three‐dimensional kinematic data were collected and analyzed from 40 participants moving their right foot through a full range …

Whole-Body Vibration And Its Effects On Electromechanical Delay And Vertical Jump Performance, Deja Lee Stevenson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of whole-body vibration on electromechanical delay and vertical jump performance. Twenty college aged subjects participated in 10 intervals of whole-body vibration (WBV) at a frequency of 26 Hz and amplitude of 5 mm. Each interval consisted of 60 s of WBV in a half-squat followed by 60 s of rest. After 5 intervals, subjects had 6 min of rest before the final 5 intervals. Each subject also participated in the control which included the same 10 intervals in a half-squat without the WBV. Tests were conducted to assess electromechanical delay …

The Difference In Hr Response Between Track And Treadmill Running At A Pre-Determined, Self-Selected Pace, Marisha Corey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not differences exist in heart rate (HR) between jogging on the track and jogging on the treadmill at the same speed. Twenty-four college-age (19-31 years old) male (n = 12) and female (n = 12) recreational runners volunteered to participate in this study. Each participant performed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) and four exercise sessions. During the first exercise session, participants completed a 1-mile steady-state jog on either the track or treadmill at a self-selected submaximal pace that could be maintained for 30 minutes. The following three exercise sessions …

Differences In Maximal Speed Running Between Baseball Players And Sprinters, Erin Kathleen Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in technique between sprinters and baseball players while running at maximal speeds. 20 male NCAA Division I athletes participated; ten members of the track and field team specializing in the 100 m or 200 m sprint or the 100 m hurdles and ten members of the baseball team. Each subject performed a maximal effort 80 m sprint while their sprint times were recorded every 10 m starting at the 20 m mark. Each subject was filmed at they ran through a set10 m marking that included where they reached their …

Effects Of Same-Day Strength Training On Serve Performance In Female Collegiate Tennis Players, Staci Kayleen Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of same-day strength training on velocity and accuracy of a tennis serve among five female Division I intercollegiate athletes at the second and sixth week of a strength training program. Velocity and accuracy of 20 tennis serves were measured approximately four hours after a morning split-body (lower legs and trunk) strength training session termed the lift-day (LD) and were compared to measures taken on days that no lifting took place, termed the non-lift day (NLD). For each test day, velocity was multiplied by accuracy to provide an overall serve performance …

Effects Of Neuromuscular Training On The Dynamic Restraint Characteristics Of The Ankle, Christena Linford

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To examine the influence of a 6-week training program on the electromechanical delay (EMD) and reaction time of the peroneus longus muscle.

Design and Setting: The study was guided by a 2 x 2 factorial design with repeated measures on the time factor. The independent variables for this study were group (training and control) and time (pre- and post-training). Dependent variables for this study were muscle reaction time and electromechanical delay of the peroneus longus muscle.

Subjects: Thirty-six healthy, physically active, college-age (21.8 ± 2.3 yr) male and female (M = 14, F = 28, height = 173.7 ± …

The Effects Of Choice On Student Motivation And Physical Activity Behavior In Physical Education, Jillian Ward

Theses and Dissertations

Public school physical educators have the opportunity to help students understand the importance of engaging in regular physical activity in order to combat America's obesity problem. However, students are often unmotivated to participate in their physical education classes. Providing students with an autonomy supportive environment increases intrinsic motivation. Self-determination theory states that higher levels of intrinsic motivation should lead to an increase in behavior, or higher activity levels in a physical education class. This study examined (a) the effects of increased autonomy on self-determination, and (b) the effects of increased autonomy on physical activity levels. Seventh and eighth grade girls …

The Impact Of A University Wellness Requirement On Student Nutrition And Physical Activity Behavior, Lisa Marie Blaser

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The Brigham Young University General Education Wellness Program has three options available to students to fulfill the programs requirement. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of these three wellness options. Specifically we wanted to know; does the university wellness requirement affect student nutrition and physical activity behaviors and do the various options available differ in their abilities to impact student nutrition and physical activity behaviors?

Methods: A three-group pretest/posttest design was used and a survey was administered, at both the beginning and end of the semester, to all students enrolled in HEPE 129, live and …

Reporting Quality Of Randomized Trials In The Diet And Exercise Literature For Weight Loss, Cheryl A. Gibson, Erik P. Kirk, James D. Lecheminant, Bruce W. Bailey Jr, Guoyuan Huang, Joseph E. Donnelly

Faculty Publications

Background

To adequately assess individual studies and synthesize quantitative research on weight loss studies, transparent reporting of data is required. The authors examined the reporting quality of randomized trials in the weight loss literature, focusing exclusively on subject characteristics as they relate to enrollment, allocation, and follow-up.

Methods

An extensive literature review, which included a computerized search of the MEDLINE database, manual searches of bibliographic references, and cross-referencing of 92 review articles was conducted. A checklist, based on CONSORT recommendations, was used to collect information on whether or not authors reported age, gender, co-morbid disease, medication use, race/ethnicity, and postmenopausal …

Effects Of Video Modeling On Skill Acquisition In Learning The Golf Swing, Joshua L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of video modeling on skill acquisition in learning the golf swing. One-hundred-eight college students participated in this study. All participants were pre-tested via videotaping to determine initial skill level. The pre-test videotaping was analyzed using DartTrainer software. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of three groups (1) control (2) single-view or (3) multi-view. Participants in the control group viewed a compact disc (CD) with a putting demonstration repeated 40 times. The participants in the single-view group viewed a CD with a front view only demonstration repeated 40 times of …

A Biomechanical Analysis Of Sprinters Vs. Distance Runners At Equal And Maximal Speeds, Tyler D. Bushnell

Theses and Dissertations

In the sport of track and field, sprinting and distance running represent two major categories of athletes. Sprinting is associated with power and speed, whereas distance running focuses on the economy of movement. With distance running there are elements of sprint technique that overlap. With distance events, there comes a time near the end of the race where economy gives way to speed. If the distance runners knew how to alter their technique in a way to become more sprint-like, this process could possibly be more successful. PURPOSE: This study compared the differences in technique between sprinters and distance runners …

The Long Term Effects Of Short-Wave Diathermy And Long-Duration Static Stretch On Hamstring Flexibility, Daniel Joseph Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To compare changes in hamstring flexibility from treatments of pulsed short- wave diathermy and prolonged stretch versus sham diathermy and prolonged stretch and control and to observe how long those changes last.

Background: Heat and stretch techniques have been touted for years. To date, the effect of short-wave diathermy and hamstring stretching has not been thoroughly studied. Because diathermy heats a large area and penetrates deep into the muscle, use of this device prior to or during hamstring stretching may increase flexibility and these gains may last longer.

Study Design: A randomized, counterbalanced 3x2x6 repeated measures design. The 3 …

Effects Of Different Jumping Programs On Hip And Spine Bone Mineral Density In Pre-Menopausal Women, J. Eric Strong

Theses and Dissertations

Sixty premenopausal women (age 25-50) finished a 16 week randomized controlled trial looking at the effects of different jump programs on hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD). Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group or one of two jumping groups. The Jump 10 group performed 10 jumps with 30 seconds of rest between jumps, twice daily, while the Jump 20 group performed the same protocol but with 20 jumps. At 8 weeks, BMD percent change (%Δ) at the hip was significantly different among groups when age, weight change, and subject compliance were simultaneously adjusted. In particular, the Jump …

The Effects Of Three Different Ice Bath Immersion Times On Numbness (Sensation Of Pressure), Surface Temperature, And Perceived Pain, Norma E. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Determine if numbness differs in magnitude and duration between 10-, 15-, and 20-min ice bath immersions, when temperature was held constant. Design: Dependant variables; sensation of pressure (g), perceived pain (cm), and skin temperature (º C). A repeated measures 3 X 19 factorial guided this study. Conditions were 10-, 15-, and 20-min ice bath immersions. Measurement times were before immersion, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20 min immersion, and 1.5, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 min postimmersion. Subjects: Eighteen college-aged volunteers. Measurements: Subjects participated in three ice bath immersions (10, 15, …

Variance In Percent Body Fat Between And Within Families As Measured By Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, Laurel Anne Kelsey

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine the variance in percent body fat between and within families as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Methods: Percent body fat (%BF) assessed in 95 females, 120 males (included 54 sets of biological siblings) using DXA. Physical activity questionnaire used to assess current physical activity habits in each participant. Results: Variance in %BF between and within families is similar. Amount of television viewing and levels of physical activity can affect %BF. Discussion: A model such as the one derived in this study can be a useful tool in intervention programs implemented to decrease obesity.

The Effects Of The Type Of Skill Assessment On The Motivation Of Students In Physical Education, Tyler Gene Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the effects of criterion-referenced (i.e., Programmed Practice Sheet or PPS) and norm-referenced (i.e., standardized) skill assessments on the situational motivation of junior high school physical education students (N = 507), (2) determine if student task and ego dispositions could be affected by the type of skill assessment administered, and (3) determine if having choices of skill level affects student situational motivation and perception of autonomy support. Student situational motivation, task and ego disposition, and sense of autonomy were assessed using the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS), Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ), and …

The Effect Of Wearing Mouthguards On Vo2, Ventilation, And Perceived Exertion At Two Different Exercise Intensities, Jeffrey Scott Hurst

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To assess the effects of wearing a protective mouthguard during exercise on ventilation and oxygen consumption.
Design and Setting: All participants performed a graded maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Each participant also performed 6 submaximal exercise tests while wearing one of two facemasks (nasal or non-nasal breathing) and one of three mouthguard conditions (no mouthguard, boil and bite, custom-fit). Steady-state VO2, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and other ventilatory values were measured at 60% and 80% of VO2max during each submaximal exercise test. All 6 submaximal exercise tests were completed within …

Effects Of A Tape Cast, Air-Stirrup, And An Air-Stirrup Applied Over A Taped Ankle On Dynamic Ankle Inversion, Justin K. Freeman

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To compare the tape cast, and an Air-Stirrup/closed basketweave combination to the Air-Stirrup alone with respect to their effects on dynamic ankle inversion.

Design and Setting: This study used a repeated measures design with the independent variables being the exercise bout and the ankle support method (4 levels: no support, Air-Stirrup only, Air-Stirrup/closed basketweave, and tape cast). The 2 dependent variables were total inversion and maximum inversion velocity. Measurements were taken before and after an exercise bout, and all trials were conducted in the university's human performance laboratory.

Subjects: 16 subjects (11 male, 5 female, age 24.3 ± 1.8 …

Examination Of Adolescent Physical Activity And Overweight Levels , Maika Elizabeth Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests declines in physical activity may occur after age 12. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between adolescent physical activity, BMI, and nutrition. Adolescents, ages 12-17 (N = 223), wore pedometers for 11 consecutive days and completed a nutrition survey, the Youth Adolescent Questionnaire. Activity levels did not differ among the ages of 12-17 year old adolescents, and boys were more active than girls. There was a low, but significant relationship between BMI and physical activity levels for both boys and girls. Energy intake was not related to BMI or physical activity levels in boys …

An Accurate Vo2max Non-Exercise Regression Model For 18 To 65 Year Old Adults, Danielle I. Bradshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a regression equation to predict VO2max based on non-exercise (N-EX) data. All participants (N = 100), aged 18-65 years old, successfully completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) to assess VO2max (mean ± SD; 39.96 mL∙kg-¹∙min&sup-1; ± 9.54 mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹). The N-EX data collected just before the maximal GXT included the participant's age, gender, body mass index (BMI), perceived functional ability (PFA) to walk, jog, or run given distances, and current physical activity (PA-R) level. Multiple linear regression generated the following N-EX prediction equation (R = .93, SEE = 3.45 mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹, %SEE = …

A New Approach To Modeling Vertical Stiffness In Heel-Toe Distance Runners, Iain Hunter

Faculty Publications

Various models have been used to describe distance running technique. Among these, the mass-spring model is fairly simple to use and apply, but when employed as a model, does not predict vertical force accurately especially when a heel strike is exhibited. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how the mass-spring model can be modified to provide a simple, yet accurate prediction of ground reaction forces in distance running. Sixteen subjects ran on a force instrumented treadmill. Vertical forces during running at a self-selected pace were collected at 500 Hz. Vertical stiffness was calculated using the conventional mass-spring model …

Physical Activity And Changes In Abdominal Fat Over 18 Months: A Prospective Study Of Middle-Aged Women, Lance Eric Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To investigate the extent to which changes in physical activity predict changes in abdominal fat in women over an 18-month period, while statistically controlling the effects of possible confounders, such as age, total body fat percent, and energy intake. Design: A prospective cohort design over 18 months. There was no intervention or treatment. Changes in objectively-measured physical activity were used to predict changes in abdominal fat over the study period. Subjects: 110 healthy, middle-aged women (mean: 41.3±3.3 yrs), primarily Caucasian, educated, and married. Measurements: An objective measure of physical activity (ACT) using CSA accelerometers, worn continuously for 7 consecutive …

Creatine Supplementation Differentially Affects Maximal Isometric Strength And Time To Fatigue In Large And Small Muscle Groups, William J. Vincent, Steven F. Loy, Richard L. Urbanski, Ben B. Yaspelkis

Faculty Publications

Ten physically active, untrained, college-aged males (26.4 ± 5.8 years old) received creatine (CR. 5 g creatine monohydrate + 3 g dextrose) and placebo (PLA, 7 g dextrose) supplementation four times per day for 5 days in a doubleblind, randomized, balanced, crossover design. Performance was assessed during maximal and three repeated submaximal bouts of isometric knee extension and handgrip exercise. CR supplementation significantly increased (p < .05) maximal isometric strength during knee extension but not during handgrip exercise. CR supplementation increased time to fatigue during each of the three bouts of submaximal knee extension and handgrip exercise when compared to the PLA trials. These findings suggest that CR supplementation can increase maximal strength and time to fatigue during isometric exercise. However, the improvements in maximal isometric strength following CR supplementation appear to be restricted to movements performed with a large muscle mass.

Religiosity And Physical Fitness: A Study Of Middle-Aged Mormon Men, Janette Olsen

Theses and Dissertations

Research has related both physical fitness and religiosity to health. This study combined these ideas and examined the relationship between religiosity and physical fitness among middle aged Mormon men (n=110). Mormons are an ideal population for study because of their strict health code. Fitness variables were grip strength, waist/hip ratio, body mass index (BMI) and estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). A questionnaire assessed level of religiosity and separated subjects into two groups: highly religious (n=35) and less religious (n=14). Moderately religious subjects (n=61) were omitted. A one way ANOVA (between-groups design) found no significant differences in fitness variables between groups. …