Exercise Science Commons^™

Physiologic Changes Occurring During A 592-Mile Hike On The Appalachian Trail, Patricia Gayle Williams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess physiologic changes during a 592-mile hike of the Appalachian Trail. The participants included 2 physically active nonsmoking male adults, 23 and 26 years of age. The participants were both experienced backpackers attempting a 592-mile northbound hike of the AT in the summer of 2006. Participants were tested before and after hiking. Participants underwent the following tests: resting BP, resting HR, height and weight, body fat, BMD, lactate threshold, VO_2peak, maximal HR, curl-ups, push-ups, and sit-and-reach. Although the hike was ended prematurely after 474 miles, many changes were observed. Body mass, body …

The Effects Of Hiking Poles On Performance And Physiological Variables During Mountain Climbing, Rachel Louise Duckham

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to compare performance when hiking with and without poles during a maximal effort mountain ascent. In addition, the study determined if there were differences in physiological responses, such as heart rate, estimated energy expenditure, and blood lactate accumulation. 15 physically active men and women (mean age 29±6) hiked with and without walking poles up a 4-km trail ( 426-meter elevation gain). Performance was determined by the time taken to reach the top of the mountain. In addition, differences in physiological variables including heart rate (HR), estimated energy expenditure (EE), and blood lactate accumulation …

Physical Activity And Weather: The Association Of Physical Activity With Weather-Related Factors Measured On The Knoxville Third-Creek Greenway, Ryan Allen Burchfield

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the association of outdoor physical activity (PA) with weather-related factors (temperature, humidity, heat index, and precipitation) when data was measured onsite (Knoxville Third-Creek Greenway). Secondary to this research question, this study explored whether the source of weather-related data (site-specific vs. public domain) influenced the strength of association with outdoor PA. PA, the dependent variable, was measured as trail counts by an infrared trail counter. Weather-related factors were obtained by an on-site weather station and through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a public domain weather source. Hourly PA (trail counts) …

Effect Of Long Term Resistance Training On A Senior Population With Trained Peer Leadership, Richard John Burke Iii

Masters Theses

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the physical effects of a two-year peer-led resistance training and aerobic program in a group of community dwelling older adults.

Methods: Nine community-dwelling older adults (Age = 81.2 ± 7.1 yrs; Males = 1, Females = 8) were trained for six weeks, monitored and corrected for one year, and then completed two years of peer-led weight training three days/week. Pre and post training physical function assessments included 6-minute walk distance (endurance, functional mobility and gait speed), 8 foot timed up-and-go (balance and agility), back scratch (shoulder flexibility), sit-and-reach (flexibility), number of …

The Relationship Between Steps Per Day And Bone Variables In Healthy Postmenopausal Women, Olivera Lukajic

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ambulatory physical activity (steps per day) and bone variables in healthy, Caucasian postmenopausal women. Additionally, we examined the relationship of body mass (BM), lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) with bone variables in this group of women, Average steps taken per day were compared to bone mineral density (BMD) in 93 postmenopausal women (60.8 ±5.8 yrs). Ambulatory physical activity (steps per day) was measured for 14 consecutive days using a Yamax Digi-Walker SW-200. Additionally, current physical activity (PA) level was estimated using a Paffenbarger Physical Activity Index …

Pedometer-Determined Physical Activity And Health Variables In African-American Women (40-62 Years Of Age), Lyndsey Michelle Hornbuckle

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pedometer-determined physical activity, measured in steps per day, and several health variables in middle-aged, African-American women. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and % body fat were measured in 69 African-American females (mean age 51.4 ± 5.4 years). Subjects wore a pedometer for 7 consecutive days after their laboratory visit and average steps/day were compared to each health variable. For statistical analyses, subjects were categorized into 3 different groups based on their physical activity level. The categories were < 5,000 steps/day, 5,000-7,499 steps/day, and > 7,500 steps/day. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to …

Alumni Perceptions: A Review Of The Curriculum Within The Recreation Program At The University Of Tennessee, Knoxville, Angela Jeneanne Wozencroft

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of alumni who had graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s (UTK) recreation program. The data collection tool used in this study was a questionnaire developed by the researcher. The questionnaire gathered information from the alumni on the following research questions:

1. How many graduates were employed in the field of recreation upon graduation and what were some of the reasons for one not being employed in the field?

2. What were the alumni’s perceptions of the quality of their education, from the recreation program, in relation to their demands …

The Effects Of Augmented Attentional Focus On The Performance With Practice Of A Closed Perceptual-Motor Task For Individuals Who Differ In Task Mastery, John Allen Richards

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of augmented attentional focus on the performance with practice, of a closed perceptual-motor task for individuals who differ in task mastery. Sixty-four male volunteers were assigned to either the beginning or advanced task mastery group (n = 32) based on bowling averages (≤ 130, ≥ 150 respectively). Each subject in the task mastery groups was randomly assigned to one of four augmented focus of attention conditions, i.e., focus on: (a) environmental results of the movement that was performed (KR); (b) the movement that was performed (KP); (c) self via presence …