Exercise Science Commons^™

Ground Reaction Forces Through A Range Of Speeds In Steeplechase Hurdling, James Brian Tracy

Theses and Dissertations

The men's steeplechase event requires participants to jump over thirty-five 0.914-meter-tall obstacles, 4 rigid barriers and 1 fixed barrier followed by a 3.66-meter-long water pit per lap, over a 3000-meter distance. This study investigated the effect of increasing running velocity, through a range of 5.33 m/s to 6.66 m/s, on takeoff and landing ground reaction forces, for males during steeplechase hurdling using a force plate embedded under a track surface. Subjects completed 1 trial within each of 6 different pace ranges in a random order, once with a hurdle following the force plate to measure the takeoff ground reaction forces …

Relationship Between Pectoralis Minor Length, Subacromial Space, And Pain In Swimmers And Overhead Athletes, Erika Jaci Richards

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction (Context): The purpose of this study was to measure and correlate pectoralis minor length (PML) and acromiohumeral distance (AHD) in male and female collegiate swimmers, overhead athletes, and a control group. Methods: Participants underwent assessment of pain related to impingement syndrome with special tests (painful arc, external rotation resistance, empty can, and Neer's impingement test), as well as range of motion, measurement of PML, and measurement of subacromial space via ultrasound. Design: Cross-sectional, correlational study. Setting: University modalities laboratory. Participants: 60 healthy subjects (20 swimmers, 20 overhead athletes, 20 controls, age = 21.5 ± 2.4 years; height = 178.7 …

The Relationship Between Generalized Joint Laxity And Hip Cartilage Thickness In Ballet And Modern Dancers, Noelle Jeanette Tuttle

Theses and Dissertations

Generalized joint laxity (GJL), a condition in which most joints of the body move beyond the accepted normal range of motion, is present in many ballet and modern dancers. It has been associated with an increased risk of injury, decreased muscle strength, and greater landing forces. Increased joint laxity results in joint instability and may precede the development of osteoarthritis, which is associated with a reduction in cartilage thickness. We hypothesized that dancers with GJL would have decreased hip cartilage thickness, as well as greater hip adduction angles and greater ground reaction force on landings. Twenty female ballet and modern …

Sagittal Abdominal Diameter, Waist Circumference, And Bmi As Predictors Of Multiple Measures Of Glucose Metabolism: An Nhanes Investigation Of U.S. Adults, Shelby Anne Firouzi

Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVE: The key objective of the present investigation was to compare associations between sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), waist circumference, and BMI to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), along with fasting glucose, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR, in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. The study also analyzed the effect of multiple covariates on the anthropometric and glucose metabolism associations. METHODS: A cross-sectional design, including 3,582 subjects, was used. SAD was assessed using an abdominal caliper. All other data were collected following strict NHANES protocol. The OGTT was the primary variable used to index glucose metabolism. Fasting glucose, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR …

Are Cardiovascular Disease Inflammatory Markers Elevated In Those With Nonspecific Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Compared To Nonpain Case Controls?, Jeffrey Ray Tolley

Theses and Dissertations

CONTEXT: Recent studies have considered the role of inflammation in the development of both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and musculoskeletal conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Studies suggest that inflammation plays a significant role in the development of cardiovascular disease. In conditions of chronic pain, as with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation has also been noted through elevated levels of inflammatory markers. There are currently no studies that examine the possible connection between inflammatory markers related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and nonspecific chronic musculoskeletal pain (NCMP). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether urinary levels of microalbumin (MA) and …

The Effect Of Time Of Day Of Chronic Exercise On Neural Response To Visual Food Cues, Jessica Taylor Davies

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effect of an 8-week, progressive exercise intervention on neural responses, specifically N2 amplitude as a measure of inhibitory control, to pictures of food. Healthy women ages 18-44 years were randomized to a morning (AM) exercise group or evening (PM) exercise group. The AM group did moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise on 4 days per week between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. while the PM group had the identical volume of exercise between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Neural responses, eating behaviors, cardiovascular fitness outcomes, and body weight/composition were measured at baseline and after the 8-week intervention. The N2 amplitude in …

Reliability Of Doming And Toe Flexion Testing To Quantify Foot Muscle Strength, Sarah T. Ridge, J. William Myrer, Mark T. Olsen, Kevin Jurgensmeier, A. Wayne Johnson

Faculty Publications

Quantifying the strength of the intrinsic foot muscles has been a challenge for clinicians and researchers. The reliable measurement of this strength is important in order to assess weakness, which may contribute to a variety of functional issues in the foot and lower leg, including plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus. This study reports 3 novel methods for measuring foot strength – doming (previously unmeasured), hallux flexion, and flexion of the lesser toes.

The Effects Of Experimental Anterior Knee Pain On Bilateral Ground Reaction Forces During Running, Emily Rachel Cronk

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the independent effects of anterior knee pain (AKP) on bilateral ground reaction force (GRF) during running, with a focus on GRF applied to the uninvolved leg, which, prior to this study, had never been evaluated. Twelve volunteers completed three data collection sessions, that corresponded to one of three conditions (control, sham, and pain), in a counterbalanced order. For each session, subjects ran for five minutes. For the pain and sham sessions, respectively, hypertonic and isotonic saline were infused into the infrapatellar fat pad of the right leg during the running, while no …

Running Decreases Knee Intra-Articular Cytokine And Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Concentrations: A Pilot Study, Robert D. Hyldahl, Alyssa Evans, Sunku Kwon, Sarah T. Ridge, Eric Robinson, J. Ty Hopkins, Matthew K. Seeley

Faculty Publications

Introduction Regular exercise protects against degenerative joint disorders, yet the mechanisms that underlie these benefits are poorly understood. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is widely implicated in the onset and progression of degenerative joint disease.

Purpose To examine the effect of running on knee intra-articular and circulating markers of inflammation and cartilage turnover in healthy men and women.

Methods Six recreational runners completed a running (30 min) and control (unloaded for 30 min) session in a counterbalanced order. Synovial fluid (SF) and serum samples were taken before and after each session. Cytokine concentration was measured in SF and serum using a multiplexed …

The Differences In Time To Stability, Foot Muscle Size, And Toe Flexor Strength Between Cheerleaders And Gymnasts, Kelsey Renee Garner

Theses and Dissertations

Context: There has been recent speculation that the intrinsic muscles of the foot may play a larger role in lower extremity control and injury than previously believed. Multiple studies have shown that certain intrinsic muscles increase in size and strength after transitioning to minimalist shoe running, theoretically decreasing injury risk. There are currently no studies that examine the effect that training barefoot has in other athletic populations. Objective: Our purpose was to compare the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle size and strength in gymnasts (who predominantly train barefoot) and cheerleaders (who predominantly train shod). Another purpose was to measure time …

Biomechanical Analysis Of Gait Termination In 11–17 Year Old Youth At Preferred And Fast Walking Speeds, Sarah T. Ridge, John Henley, Kurt Manal, Freeman Miller, James G. Richards

Faculty Publications

In populations where walking and/or stopping can be difficult, such as in children with cerebral palsy, the ability to quickly stop walking may be beyond the child’s capabilities. Gait termination may be improved with physical therapy. However, without a greater understanding of the mechanical requirements of this skill, treatment planning is difficult. The purpose of this study was to understand how healthy children successfully terminate gait in one step when walking quickly, which can be challenging even for healthy children. Lower extremity kinematic and kinetic data were collected from 15 youth as they performed walking, planned, and unplanned stopping tasks. …

Validity And Reliability Of A Photographic Method Of Assessing Body Composition, Elizabeth Z. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The LeanScreenTM app uses photographs and touchscreen technology of an iPad or iPhone to estimate body composition using the Department of Defense (DoD) prediction equations that use cirumference measurements of the neck, abdomen, waist, and hips. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the LeanScreenTM app in 148 weight-stable adults (82 men, 66 women) who were normal weight, overweight, or obese as defined by body mass index. The percent body fat (%BF) of each subject was estimated during one visit using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometery (DXA) as the criterion measure, and three field methods: the …

Association Between Expanded Normal Weight Obesity And Insulin Resistance Among U.S. Adults In The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Keilah Elizabeth Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to expand the evaluation of Normal Weight Obesity (NWO) and its association with insulin resistance using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. A cross-sectional study including 5,983 subjects was conducted. Body fat percentage was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Expanded Normal Weight Obesity (eNWO) categories (pairings of BMI and body fat percentage classifications) were determined by standard cut-points for BMI and the gender specific median for body fat percentage. Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were used to index insulin resistance. Mean ± SE values were as follows: BMI: 27.9 ± …

Neural Activation In Blood-Flow-Restricted Versus Non-Blood-Flow-Restricted Exercise: An Fmri Study, Tiffany Dawn Devries

Theses and Dissertations

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be used to track neural activation in the brain during functional activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate brain neural responses to blood flow restricted (BFR) versus control handgrip exercise. Using a randomized crossover design, 25 subjects (12 males, 13 females) completed handgrip exercises during two conditions: BFR vs. control. To familiarize participants with the exercise conditions, one week prior to MRI scanning participants completed each exercise condition once on separate days, with 72 hours between days. The following week fMRI scans were performed at the same time of day, separated by …

The Effect Of Whole Body Vibration On Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage And Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness, Ryan Darin Magoffin

Theses and Dissertations

Current scientific evidence suggests that when whole body vibration (WBV) is used as a warm-up prior to performing eccentric exercise, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is mitigated and strength loss recovers faster. These benefits were observed primarily in nonresistance-trained individuals. The aim of this study was to determine if WBV could mitigate soreness and expedite strength recovery for resistance-trained individuals when used as a warm-up prior to eccentric exercise. Thirty resistance-trained males completed 300 maximal eccentric contractions of the quadriceps after warming up with (WBV) or without (CON) WBV. Both CON and WBV experienced significant isometric (27.8% and 30.5%, respectively) and …

Acute Changes In Running Mechanics Across Footwear With Various Heel-To-Toe Height Differences, Daniel C. Moody

Theses and Dissertations

There are many different types of footwear available for runners in today's market. Many of these shoes claim to improve a runner's efficiency by altering their stride mechanics. Minimalist footwear claims to aid runners in running more on their forefeet whereas more traditional footwear provides more cushioning specifically for a heel-first landing. The purpose of this research was to determine if runners who were accustomed to running in traditional footwear would acutely alter their running biomechanics when they ran barefoot or in various types of minimalist footwear. Twelve subjects, who were accustomed to running in traditional 12 mm heel/toe differential …

Neural Response To Food Cues After Moderate And Vigorous Exercise In Women: A Randomized Crossover Trial, Jillesa Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of different intensities of acute exercise on attention allocation to visual food cues, postexercise energy intake, and subjective measures of hunger in women. METHODS: This crossover study utilized treatment conditions that were randomized and counter-balanced. Fifty-two adult women, 18-29 years, were compared under three separate conditions: no exercise, 45 min of moderate-intensity exercise at 3.9 METs and 22.5 min of vigorous-intensity exercise at 7.8 METs. To measure attention allocation to visual food cues, participants were shown a passive viewing task consisting of a continual stream of pictures of food (high and low calorie) and …

Movement Competency's Relationship To Health Related Quality Of Life In Older Adults, Shaun M. Fulton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between movement competency and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults aged 55 to 75 years. Seventy-eight, male (40) and female (38), subjects completed the study. Their mean (SD) age, height, and mass were 64.9 (5.8) years and 63.6 (4.9) years, 1.8 (.08) m and 1.7 (.07) m, 82.6 (11.8) kg and 70.3 (17.9) kg, for male and female, respectively. Subjects completed several tests in 3 categories: movement competency (Functional Movement Screen^TM [FMS] [all 7 tests], sitting-rising test [SRT]); physical activity level (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly …

Ambulation Speed And Corresponding Mechanics Are Associated With Changes In Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein, W. Matt Denning, Michael Becker Pardo, Jason G. Winward, Iain Hunter, Sarah T. Ridge, J. Ty Hopkins, C. Shane Reese, Allen C. Parcell, Matthew K. Seeley

Faculty Publications

Because serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) has been used to reflect articular cartilage condition, we aimed to identify walking and running mechanics that are associated with changes in serum COMP. Eighteen subjects (9 male, 9 female; age = 23 ± 2 yrs.; mass = 68.3 ± 9.6 kg; height = 1.70 ± 0.08 m) completed 4000 steps on an instrumented treadmill on three separate days. Each day corresponded to a different ambulation speed: slow (preferred walking speed), medium (+50% of slow), and fast (+100% of slow). Synchronized ground reaction force and video data were collected to evaluate walking mechanics. …

The Effect Of Foot Strengthening Exercise On Dynamic Function Of The Medial Longitudinal Arch In Runners: A Preliminary Report, Jarom Bridges

Theses and Dissertations

Therapeutic exercise has previously been shown to alter the static height of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). It is still unknown, however, if these effects carry over into dynamic activities. PURPOSE: To determine if an 8-week foot strengthening exercise program increases static arch height and reduces vertical deformation of the MLA during mid-stance in running.METHODS: Thirty-four recreational runners (17 males, 17 females) have completed this ongoing study (age 24.06 ± 3.61 years, body mass 68.63 ± 12.95 kg, and height 173.34 ± 9.54 cm). To date, 22 subjects have been assigned to the control group (8 weeks of normal running) …

Blockade Of Tgf-Ss Signaling Through The Activin Type Iib Receptor With The Small Molecule, Sgi-1252, Jordan David Fuqua

Theses and Dissertations

Antagonism of the activin receptor signaling pathway represents a promising potential therapy for the muscular dystrophies and other muscle wasting disorders (i.e., cachexia or sarcopenia). Previous research has shown that antagonism of activin signaling promotes muscle growth, attenuates muscle wasting, and restores function in both wild type and diseased animals. Our laboratory has recently developed a novel small molecule (SGI-1252) that inhibits activin downstream (i.e., Smad2/3 phosphorylation) signaling. Purpose: In this study we determined how eight weeks of orally administered SGI-1252 affected TGF-ß signaling, whole body mass, individual limb muscle mass, and muscle fiber cross sectional area (CSA). Methods: Wild-type …

The Effect Of Aerobic Exercise Versus Inactivity On Nitric Oxide Concentration And Synthesis In An Elderly Population, Samantha Burton

Theses and Dissertations

CONTEXT: Nitric Oxide (NO) is an endothelial-derived vasoactive molecule that causes an increase in blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissue. A reduction in NO bioavailability has been found to occur in adults over the age of 60 and can be reversed pharmacologically by improving NO synthase (NOS) activity. Reversing these age-related changes with alternative interventions, such as aerobic exercise, has shown some promising results. OBJECTIVE: To quantify blood NO-bioavailability (as measured by blood nitrite levels) in a population of aerobically trained elderly men and compare these data to a group of age-matched, inactive individuals. In addition, we measured the …

Strength Training And Body Composition In Middle-Age Women, Rachelle Burrup

Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between strength training and body composition before and after controlling for several covariates. A cross-sectional study including 257 female subjects was conducted. METHODS: Subjects' level of involvement in strength training was determined via questionnaire. Body composition was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Diet was assessed using 7-d weighed food records. RESULTS: Strong linear relationships between subjects' level of involvement in strength training and body composition were identified. For each additional day of strength training reported per week, body fat was 1.32 percentage points lower (F = 14.8, …

The Effect Of Training In Minimalist Running Shoes On Running Economy, Sarah T. Ridge, Tyler Standifird, Jessica Rivera, A. Wayne Johnson, Ulrike H. Mitchell, Iain Hunter

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of minimalist running shoes on oxygen uptake during running before and after a 10-week transition from traditional to minimalist running shoes. Twenty-five recreational runners (no previous experience in minimalist running shoes) participated in submaximal VO2 testing at a self-selected pace while wearing traditional and minimalist running shoes. Ten of the 25 runners gradually transitioned to minimalist running shoes over 10 weeks (experimental group), while the other 15 maintained their typical training regimen (control group). All participants repeated submaximal VO2 testing at the end of 10 weeks. Testing included a 3 …

Lower Extremity Neuromechanics During A Forward-Side Jump Following Functional Fatigue In Patients With Ankle Instability, Hyun Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Ankle instability (AI) and fatigue impair neuromuscular control as well as dynamic joint stability of the lower extremity. No one has comprehensively examined the effects of AI and fatigue on neuromechanics of the lower extremity during a functional activity. Deficits associated with AI and fatigue could be additive in increasing the risk for injury in patients with AI. PURPOSE: To examine the interaction of AI and fatigue on lower extremity muscle activity, kinematic, and kinetic patterns during a forward-side jump. METHODS: 25 AI (23.3 ± 1.9 yrs, 176.5 ± 10.5 cm, 70.9 ± 11.4 kg), and 25 matched control subjects …

Meat Intake And Insulin Resistance In Women Without Type 2 Diabetes, Larry A. Tucker, James D. Lecheminant, Bruce W. Bailey

Faculty Publications

Purpose. To examine the relationship between meat intake and insulin resistance (IR) in 292 nondiabetic women. Methods. IR was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Diet was assessed via 7-day weighed food records. Servings of very lean meat (VLM) and regular meat (meat) were indexed using the ADA Exchange Lists Program. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers and body fat was measured using the Bod Pod. Results. Meat intake was directly related to HOMA (F = 7.4; P = 0.007). Women with moderate or high meat intakes had significantly higher HOMA levels than their counterparts. Adjusting for body fat …

Will Ultrasound Performed With The Rich-Mar Autosound™ Be As Effective At Increasing Tissue Temperature As Ultrasound Performed With A Traditional Machine?, Heather Diane Black

Theses and Dissertations

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized crossover experiment. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Rich-Mar AutoSound™ would be as effective as traditional ultrasound at increasing the temperature of the triceps surae muscle during a 10-min, 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2 ultrasound treatment. BACKGROUND: The AutoSound™ is a hands-free ultrasound device that is strapped on the body and left for the duration of the ultrasound treatment. It requires no clinician during the actual ultrasound treatment, thus freeing the clinician to perform other tasks and reducing clinician error during treatments. METHODS: 16 healthy subjects (6 males, 10 females, age = 22 ± 1.6 yrs, height = 173.2 …

Slow Walking On A Treadmill Desk Does Not Negatively Affect Executive Abilities: An Examination Of Cognitive Control, Conflict Adaptation, Response Inhibition, And Post-Error Slowing, Michael J. Larson, James D. Lecheminant, Kaylie Carbine, Kyle R. Hill, Edward Christenson, Travis Masterson, Rick Lecheminant

Faculty Publications

An increasing trend in the workplace is for employees to walk on treadmills while working to attain known health benefits; however, the effect of walking on a treadmill during cognitive control and executive function tasks is not well known. We compared the cognitive control processes of conflict adaptation (i.e., congruency sequence effects—improved performance following high-conflict relative to low-conflict trials), post-error slowing (i.e., Rabbitt effect), and response inhibition during treadmill walking (1.5 mph) relative to sitting. Understanding the influence of treadmill desks on these cognitive processes may have implications for worker health and productivity. Sixty-nine individuals were randomized to either a …

Cognitive And Typing Outcomes Measured Simultaneously With Slow Treadmill Walking Or Sitting: Implications For Treadmill Desks, James D. Lecheminant, Michael D. Larson, Kyle Hill, Kaylie Carbine, Travis Masterson, Ed Christenson

Faculty Publications

Purpose

This study compared cognitive (attention, learning, and memory) and typing outcomes during slow treadmill walking or sitting. Seventy-five healthy individuals were randomly assigned to a treadmill walking group (n=37; 23 female) or sitting group (n=38; 17 female).

Methods

The treadmill walking group completed a series of tests while walking at 1.5 mph. The sitting group performed the same tests while sitting at a standard desk. Tests performed by both groups included: the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and a modified version of the Paced Auditory Serial Attention Test. In addition, typing performance was evaluated.

Results

Participants in the treadmill …

Sex Differences In Whole Body Gait Kinematics At Preferred Speeds, Dustin A. Bruening, R. Frimenko, C. Goodyear, A. Fullenkamp

Faculty Publications

Studies on human perception have identified pelvis and torso motion as key discriminators between male and female gaits. However, while most observers would advocate that men and women walk differently, consistent findings and explanations of sex differences in gait kinematics across modern empirical studies are rare. In the present study we evaluated sex differences in whole body gait kinematics from a large sample of subjects (55 men, 36 women) walking at self selected speeds. We analyzed the data through comparisons of discrete metrics and whole curve analyses. Results showed that in the frontal plane, women walked with greater pelvic obliquity …