Exercise Science Commons^™

The Effects Of Cannabidiol Cream On Soreness And Performance After Exercise In Untrained Individuals, Joseph Thomas Pastina

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results from unaccustomed exercise and can lead to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Impairments associated with EIMD and DOMS can result in moderate-to-severe discomfort and hindered performance. Recently, a compound derived from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD), has been used as a recovery tool for EIMD and DOMS. Despite the rising popularity of CBD products, their effectiveness in mitigating EIMD and DOMS is unknown. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CBD cream on DOMS and performance after an intensive lower-body exercise protocol. In addition, the study sought to …

Effects Of Constant Load Exercise On Oxygen Consumption And Knee Joint Mechanics In Young Adults, Mariana Victoria Jacobs

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The rate of obesity and its adverse health consequences have continued to rise in the past several decades. Aerobic constant load exercise is recommended to reduce excess body mass, however the effects of constant load exercise on oxygen consumption (VO2) and knee joint mechanics are inconsistent when varying weight-status strategies are employed. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of different weight classification strategies on VO2 and knee joint mechanics during constant load exercise. Participants walked on an instrumented treadmill at a self-selected speed for 30-minutes while gait mechanics and VO2 measures were determined. Between-group differences were …

Responses To Exercise Anchored To Vigorous Intensity Heart Rates, Djadmann Gustave

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Exercise prescription to improve cardiorespiratory endurance (CE) is often based on percentages of the reserve or maximum heart rate (HR_peak) or oxygen consumption rate (V̇O_2peak)that reflect vigorous intensities (77-95% HR_peak, 64-90% V̇O_2peak). These intensities elicit a rating of perceived exertion [RPE] response between 14-17 on the 6-20 Borg Scale. It is recommended that exercise within these ranges be sustained for 20-60min per session. The purposes of this study were to: 1) Determine the metabolic (V̇O₂) and perceptual (RPE) responses as well as the sustainability of exercise (time to exhaustion [T …

The Effects Of Saddle Angle/Inclination On Lumbopelvic Kinematics And Cardiometabolic Measures, Andrew Nathan Anderson

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Lower back pain (LBP) is a condition which affects the lumbar portion of the spinal column that can lead to mild to extreme physical pain during seated tasks and has been shown to be prevalent in people who spend long durations sitting particularly in a slumped position or in a position with a large degree of lumbar flexion. LBP can cause regular interruptions in work and in a person’s ability to engage in exercise, and in most extreme cases warrants surgical interventions for clinical treatment. While LBP is prevalent in sedentary populations, it is also quite prevalent in cycling populations …

The Relationship Of Multidimensional Athlete Characteristics Versus Competition Performance And Participation In American Football Players, Alex Brownell

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

BACKGROUND: Athlete evaluation in American football is dominated by the evaluation characteristics that underly key performance indicators (KPI’s) in the physical domain of performance. Team sport athlete performance is comprised of a combination of attributes in the physical, technical, tactical, and mental domains of performance. Using only KPI’s in the physical domain of performance to predict competition performance of American football athletes is challenging due to the differences in performance outcomes of the varying positions in American football and absence of the other performance dimensions that are not accounted for. Advances in athlete assessment have revolutionized the process of evaluating …

Evaluation Of Air Consumption And Work Efficiency In Structural Firefighters, Emily Lynn Langford

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

INTRODUCTION: For safe and efficient fireground performance, firefighters (FF) must consume air supplied by the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) efficiently while sustaining high work rates. Firefighter research and fire department physical ability assessments typically quantify performance solely on task completion time (i.e., work rate), failing to consider the critical element of air consumption efficiency, which subsequently impacts the SCBA’s functional work duration. PURPOSES: (Arm 1, Aim #1) To examine variability in air consumption (AC) between FF during standardized pace tasks; (Arm 1, Aim #2) To evaluate AC efficiency (ACE) against a recognized metabolic-work rate concept of economy; (Arm …

The Correlation Between Acl Injury & Concussion, Brandon Michael Phillips

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Concussion (also known as mild traumatic brain injury) is a neurological injury that occurs after a blow to the head or neck area and can have affects to movement based on the severity of the injury. Mild traumatic brain injury has possible linkage to an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The purpose of this thesis was to assess the impact of prior concussion on lower extremity mechanics that are associated with risk of ACL injury. A total of 11 individuals with prior history of concussion and 11 healthy individuals without prior history of concussion (56.5 months since …

Quantification Of In-Play Competition Demands Of Collegiate American Football Players Using Global Positioning Systems, Alex Brownell

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

There is limited information describing the competition demands of American football. A greater understanding of competition demands will allow strength and conditioning practitioners to create appropriate training programs to enhance athlete readiness and performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the competition demands of collegiate American football players using global positioning systems (GPS), specifically comparing the in-play GPS versus out-of-play GPS outcomes. Twenty-two American football athletes (Age: 20.8 ± 0.9 yr, Height: 190.2 ± 4.7 cm, Body mass: 113.4 ± 22.3 kg) were monitored during 12 regular season competitions over 13 weeks. Athletes were divided into specific …

Examination Of Sex- And Limb-Specific Fatigue During Unilateral, Isometric Forearm Exercise, Caleb Christian Voskuil

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unilateral, isometric handgrip holds to failure for the dominant (Dm) and non-dominant (NDm) limb on ipsilateral ([IPS] exercised side) and contralateral ([CON] non-exercised side) performance fatigability. Twenty individuals participated in this study (Men [n =10]; Women [n = 10; Composite Demographics: Age: 22.2 years; Height: 174.4 cm; Body Mass: 75.0 kg) and completed three visits. Two, 6 s maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) for the Dm and NDm limb were performed during visit 1, followed by a familiarization of the fatigue test. Visits 2 and 3 included an isometric, …

Biomechanics Of The Lower Back During Repetitive Deadlifts, With And Without Body Armor, Vanessa J. Ramirez

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: Low back pain is a significant problem and one of the primary musculoskeletal-related conditions affecting active-duty service members [1]. Since more than two-thirds of U.S. soldier occupational tasks involve lifting from floor level to waist height [2], increasing individual lifting capacity is strongly correlated with performance with these tasks [3]. Training for the first Army Combat Fitness Test event (3RM deadlift) to improve lifting capacity directly relates to performing carrying/lifting military tasks. One training modality that can be used in training programs to improve lifting capacity is repetitions-to-failure (RTF) or repetitive lifting to volitional failure [4-8]. RTF is widely …

Comparison Of The Times To Exhaustion, Physiological, Perceptual, And Neuromusuclar Responses During Constant Heart Rate, Constant Vo2, And Constant Power Exercise, Pasquale Jiovanni Succi

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The purposes of this study were to: 1) Determine if there are differences in the sustainability of exercise when anchored at critical heart rate (CHR), the VO₂ associated with CHR (VO₂CHR), or the power output associated with CHR (PCHR); 2) examine the patterns of responses in power output, metabolic (heart rate [HR], VO₂, respiration rate [RR]), neuromuscular (electromyographic [EMG] amplitude [AMP], mean power frequency [MPF], mechanomyographic [MMG] AMP and MPF, perceptual (rating of perceived exertion [RPE]), and muscle oxygenation responses (%SmO₂) during exercise anchored by HR, VO₂, and power output; and …

Examination Of Sex- And Intensity-Specific Fatigue During Bilateral Leg Extension Exercise, Taylor Kayln Dinyer

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The purposes of this study were to: 1) examine sex-related differences in the performance of repetitions to failure below (CL_-10%, CL_-20%) and above (50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% 1RM) the critical load (CL) to make inferences regarding the mechanisms responsible for variability in the performance of repetitions to failure at varying loads; 2) examine the time course of neuromuscular and muscle oxygen saturation responses during the performance of repetitions to failure below and above the CL; 3) to make inferences regarding motor unit activation strategies used to maintain force during the completion of repetitions below and …

Quadriceps Recruitment And Twitch Properties In Lean And Obese Women Before And After Fatiguing Exercise, Rebekah Seay Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Skeletal muscle strength, specifically that of the anti-gravitational muscles such as the quadriceps, is essential for performing dynamic tasks including walking, navigating stairs, and transitioning between sitting and standing. Obesity has been shown to negatively impact musculoskeletal function and decrease quadriceps strength relative to body weight. Additionally, obesity has been linked with higher rates of fatigue and lower strength outcomes following a test of muscular endurance of the quadriceps. Since obesity lowers relative strength, it is likely that quadriceps muscle weakness contributes to reduced physical function of dynamic tasks. However, to date, the precise mechanism for obesity-induced muscle weakness has …

The Acute Effect Of High Intensity Resistance Training On Subsequent Firefighter Performance, Mark Ryan Mason

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

High intensity resistance training (HIRT) is commonly performed by structural firefighters to enhance preparedness for occupational demands. Despite the potential for HIRT to induce beneficial adaptations over time, it is important to determine if a single on-duty HIRT session is detrimental to subsequent occupational physical ability due to exercise-induced fatigue. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to assess the acute effect of HIRT on occupational physical ability in structural firefighters and to determine the time course of recovery. The secondary purpose was to determine if timed completion of a standardized bout of HIRT was correlated to occupational performance …

Heart Rate Dynamics During And After Simulated Fire Ground Tasks: Effects Of Physical Fitness And Training, Anssi Ilmari Saari

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Greater levels of physical fitness and training improve firefighters’ occupational performance, but little is known whether they are related to lower physiological stress and recovery from fire ground tasks. Heart rate, heart rate recovery and heart rate variability have been used to evaluate physical stress in association with exercise and fire ground tasks. However, there is a paucity of research evaluating the effects of physical fitness and training on heart rate dynamics during a simulated fire ground test (SFGT). Therefore, the primary purposes of this study were to …

Effects Of Curcumin And Fenugreek Soluble Fiber Supplements On Submaximal And Maximal Aerobic Performance Indices In Untrained College-Aged Subjects, Jensen Goh Zhong Sheng

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Submaximal exercise performance is, in part, limited by the accumulation of metabolic byproducts and energy system capacities. Curcumin and the combination of curcumin and fenugreek soluble fiber (CurQfen^®) have been shown to increase endogenous antioxidants and metabolic byproduct clearance as well as reduce inflammation and lipid peroxidation, and therefore, may enhance submaximal aerobic thresholds. In addition, there is evidence that the galactomannan component of fenugreek, used to enhance bioavailability of curcumin, may also have potential physiological effects related to the up regulation of free fatty acid oxidation Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects …

Longitudinal Descriptive Profile Of Collegiate Pitchers Participating In A Summer Baseball League, Isabelle Leslie Gillis

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The purpose of this study was to provide a longitudinal profile of pitching performance in a cohort of pitchers over two collegiate seasons and a summer league. Thus, this study utilized a longitudinal design to evaluate the impact of summer league participation on subsequent collegiate regular season pitching performance. Specifically, the performance of a cohort of Division 1 collegiate baseball pitchers during the 2018 Spring collegiate season, 2018 Summer League season, and the 2019 Spring collegiate season was evaluated and stratified by pitcher designation, arm dominance, and academic status. Analyses of variance were used to identify main and interaction effects …

Chronic Low Intensity Continuous And Interval Training Prevent Heart Failure-Related Coronary Artery Stiffness, An Ouyang

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Heart failure (HF) induced by aortic pressure over-load is associated with increased coronary artery stiffness. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and advanced glycation end products (AGE) both promote arterial stiffness. However, the mechanisms by which coronary PVAT promotes arterial stiffness and the efficacy of exercise to prevent coronary stiffness are unknown. The present study hypothesized both chronic continuous and interval exercise training would prevent coronary artery stiffness associated with inhibition of PVAT secreted AGE. Yucatan mininature swine were divided into four groups: control-sedentary (CON), aortic-banded sedentary heart failure (HF), aortic-banded HF continuous exercise trained (HF+CONT), and aortic-banded HF interval exercise trained …

Analysis Of Push-Up And Pull-Up Variants To Develop An Upper Extremity Model, Ashley Carlene Wimsett

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Musculoskeletal Injuries are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability. Push-Ups and Pull-Ups are effective dynamic exercises that mimic high level function activities, such as those used in the military. The model developed allows for researchers to analyze the forces and moments associated with the shoulder, elbow and wrist, to further assess function in military personnel, athletes and the active population. The model also follows the guidelines set forth by the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB).

An Examination Of The Effects Of Bilateral And Unilateral Very Short-Term Dcer Training On Strength And Neuromuscular Responses Within The Lower Limb Bilateral Deficit, Mark Travis Byrd

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The very short-term resistance training (VST) model, utilizing only 2-3 training sessions, has been used to examine early phase skeletal muscle, neural, and performance adaptations. The VST model has previously been used to examine these early phase adaptations in bilateral and unilateral, isometric, isokinetic, and dynamic muscle actions in the limbs of the upper- and lower-body. The bilateral deficit (BLD) is a phenomenon in which the sum of the forces produced unilaterally is greater than the force produced bilaterally during maximal contraction of the limbs. The appearance of a bilateral deficit has been be related to various factors; including training …

Circadian Rhythm Phase Shifts Caused By Timed Exercise Vary With Chronotype In Young Adults, J. Matthew Thomas

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The circadian system controls 24-hour cycles of behavior and physiology, such as rest-activity and feeding rhythms. The human circadian system synchronizes with, or entrains to, the light/dark cycle (sunrise/sunset) to promote activity and food consumption during the day and rest at night. However, strict work schedules and nighttime light exposure impair proper entrainment of the circadian system, resulting in chronic circadian misalignment. Numerous studies have shown that chronic circadian misalignment results in poor health. Therefore, therapeutic interventions that could shift circadian rhythms and alleviate circadian misalignment could broadly impact public health. Although light is the most salient time cue for …

The Effect Of Sleep Quantity And Quality On Direct Current Potential In Collegiate American Football Players, Erik D. Korem

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Direct current (DC) potential is an objective measure of the functional state of the human organism. It is a sensitive and accurate indicator of short- and long-term adaptations to stress, adaptive capacities, and it is an important marker of athlete readiness. Sleep is posited to be the most efficacious strategy for improving recovery to enhance sport performance, and adequate sleep is considered vital to normal psycho-physiological function. Thus, optimal sleep may enhance the functional state, in turn enhancing an athlete’s adaptability to training stress. However, little is known about the relationship between sleep and DC potential. Therefore, the purpose of …

Role Of Skeletal Muscle Mass In Sex-Dependent Power Output During Flywheel Resistance Training, Paul A. Baker

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: To determine the role of muscle mass in sex-dependent differences in power output during flywheel resistance training (FRT).

Methods: Twenty recreationally active (≥ 2 resistance exercise bouts per week), subjects (10 M, 10 F) completed 2 bouts of resistance exercise using a flywheel resistance training (FRT) device (Exxentric kbox 4 Pro) separated by at least one week. Each session consisted of 3 sets of 4 exercises (squat, bent-over row, Romanian deadlift, and biceps curl) with varying moments of inertia (0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 kg/m², respectively) in random order. Each set consisted of 5 maximal effort repetitions with …

The Biomechanical Impact Of Weight On The Lower Extremity, Amanda Lee Ransom

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by a body mass index (BM1) of ≥ 30 kg/m² which negatively impacts the musculoskeletal system and has been found to be a major contributing factor to obesity-induced biomechanical alterations during activities of daily living (ADLs). A certain level of mobility is required for all populations to maintain independence and a good quality of life becomes more difficult with excess weight. Using a reduced weight-bearing activity, such as the Alter Gravity treadmill, would be beneficial in an obese population to reduce the load on the joints and potentially decrease the risk of …

Muscle Activation Analysis With Kinematic Comparison Between Wind-Up And Stretch Pitching With Respect To The Upper And Lower Extremities, Megan M. Smidebush

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Introduction: Baseball pitching is considered one of the most intense aspects within the game of baseball, as well as the most complicated dynamic throwing task in all of sports. The biomechanics of pitching have been heavily investigated in an attempt to identify optimal pitching mechanics in terms of pitching performance. Previous quantified upper body kinetics research has concluded that improved muscle strength is needed in attempting to achieve adequate upper body kinetics and efficient pitching performances. Therefore, it is the purpose of this research study to compare the lower extremity muscle and upper extremity muscle activation patterns and kinematic variables …

Muscle Synergy During A Single Leg Standing Test In Ambulatory Children With Cerebral Palsy, Brennan L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by dysfunctional motor coordination, balance problems, and loss of selective motor control. Motor coordination exhibited as co-contraction, has been subjectively quantified using gait analysis, but recent studies have begun to objectively analyze the amount of co-contraction by collecting electromyography (EMG) data. Center of pressure excursion (COPE) measurements collected during a single leg standing test (SLST) have shown to be more valid measurements of balance in populations with motor disabilities than a SLST alone. A recent study has correlated increased COPE velocity with a lower fall risk as determined by reported fall …

Effects Of High Fat Exposure On Skeletal Muscle Autophagy And Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Adrienne Rose Herrenbruck

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Autophagy is a major degradation mechanism, responsible for clearing damaged and dysfunctional organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum, a structure essential for protein synthesis and myocellular hypertrophy. Alterations in autophagy throughout various tissues of the body have been linked to various negative side effects such as decreased myocellular hypertrophy and insulin resistance. High fat diets lead to changes (both increases and decreases) in autophagy in various tissues throughout the body in a tissue-specific manner.

Skeletal muscle autophagy is decreased in myotubes cultured from obese women, however the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. As the largest organ system in the …

Effects Of Inertial Load On Sagittal Plane Kinematics During Flywheel-Based Resistance Training Squats, Katherine Sara Worcester

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: Training to increase muscular power is essential for improving athletic performance in most sports. Weight training (WT) is a common means for training muscular power. Another modality, flywheel resistance training (FRT), may be superior for improving muscular power. However, few studies have examined if FRT is kinematically similar to WT, or if FRT kinematics change with increasing inertial load. The purposes of this study were to determine how sagittal plane joint kinematics are affected by increasing inertial load during FRT squats, and to determine how FRT squat joint kinematics compare to WT squat joint kinematics.

Methods: Subjects (n=9) completed …

A Non-Exercise Based Estimation Of The Critical Running Velocity And Anaerobic Running Capacity In Competitive Runners, Jonathan R. Switalla

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This study examined: 1) if estimated performance times (ET_com) at four different distances can be used to accurately define the parameters of the critical velocity (CV) test [CV and anaerobic running capacity (ARC)]; and 2) if those parameters can be used to predict time to completion (PT_com) of distances performed at velocities greater than CV. Twelve subjects provided an ET_com for maximal-effort runs at 400m, 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. The CV and ARC were derived from the total distance (TD) versus ET_com relationship. The equation: PT_com = ARC / (velocity-CV) was used to …

A Non Exercise Based Estimation Of The Critical Velocity And Anaerobic Distance Capacity In Collegiate Swimmers, Howard H. Brim Iii

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This study determined if the parameters of the critical velocity (CV) model could be obtained from estimated performance times at various swimming distances. Fourteen collegiate swimmers provided their actual fastest long-course times (AT_com) at standard distances and inquired completion times (IT_com) at non-standard distances. The total distance (TD) versus AT_com and IT_com relationships were used to estimate the parameters of the CV model. . . .

To read the remainder of this abstract, please download this thesis.